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NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has given new insights into Jupiter’s Great Red Spot. Researchers have noticed that the speed of the winds in the massive planetary storm has increased over the last decade. This observation came after the analysis of Hubble’s regular “storm reports”. The average speed of the winds near the boundary has increased by 8 percent between the years 2009 and 2020. The current wind speed exceeds 400 miles per hour. This outer green circle is also called the high-speed ring. Interestingly, the winds at the vortex of the storm continue to move significantly slower.

The change in the peripheral wind speed recorded with the Hubble Space Telescope is, however, minuscule. The change amounts to less than 1.6 miles per hour per Earth year. Amy Simon, the NASA scientist who contributed to the research, said, “We’re talking about such a small change that if you didn’t have eleven years of Hubble data, we wouldn’t know it happened”.

The counter-clockwise and vortex spin of the massive storm is bigger than Earth. Astronomers have brooded over the Great Red Spot for almost 150 years, since the 1870s. The storm’s centre spurts out high clouds from Jupiter’s interior. These, then, run cascading down the sides over the outer layers of clouds. Its current diameter is 10,000 miles, which is almost three times bigger than the Earth’s diameter.

Michael Wong of the University of California, Berkeley, led the analysis and praised the Hubble Space Telescope for the data that led to the observation. “This is something only Hubble can do. Hubble’s longevity and ongoing observations make this revelation possible,” he said.

Scientists don’t have a storm chaser plane at Jupiter. That’s why they cannot continuously measure the winds on the planet. “Hubble is the only telescope that has the kind of temporal coverage and spatial resolution that can capture Jupiter’s winds in this detail,” said Simon. She added, “With Hubble, we have the precision we need to spot a trend”.

Wong analysed Hubble’s data by using software that tracked thousands of wind vectors whenever Hubble observed Jupiter. “I also ran a battery of statistical tests to confirm if it was justified to call this an increase in wind speed. It is,” he added.

In 2017, researchers also found an abrupt change in the storm’s wind speed when there was a major storm near the spot. Other recent observations about the Great Red Spot include the change in its size. Over a century’s observation shows that it has become more circular than oval.

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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Geodynamic Model Reveals Erosion Process of North China Craton

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November 5, 2024

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Geodynamic Model Reveals Erosion Process of North China Craton

Researchers at the China University of Geosciences in Beijing, led by Professor Shaofeng Liu, have shed light on the mysterious transformation of the North China Craton (NCC). This research, published in Nature Geoscience, presents a breakthrough model that explains the processes behind the craton’s gradual erosion, which began in the Mesozoic era. Using detailed mantle-flow modelling, Liu’s team has traced how tectonic forces deep within the Earth have destabilised this ancient portion of continental crust, challenging long-held assumptions about craton stability.

Reconstructing Ancient Tectonic Forces

In a recent study published in Nature Geoscience, the model suggests subducted beneath the Eurasian plate where the NCC is located. Unlike typical subduction, this plate didn’t immediately sink into the mantle. Instead, it slid horizontally under the NCC’s crust, weakening its foundation in a process known as flat-slab subduction. Using seismic and stratigraphic data, the team reconstructed this tectonic behaviour, revealing how the unusual movement triggered chemical reactions that steadily eroded the NCC’s once-stable base.

Three Stages of Deformation

The research identifies three key stages in the NCC’s deformation. First, as the Izanagi plate began to subduct, it exerted horizontal pressure that altered the composition of the NCC’s foundation. In the second stage, the plate eventually rolled back, sinking deeper and creating a thinning effect on the lithosphere. This rollback phase also caused surface uplift and the formation of rift basins. The final stage saw the development of a “mantle wedge”—a zone of partially melted material—between the sinking plate and the craton, further eroding the base and promoting volcanic activity.

Implications for Geological Understanding

This study provides a more nuanced view of how tectonic and mantle forces interact to erode stable crustal structures over time. Liu’s model offers insight into the NCC’s transformation and makes our understanding of craton stability better, with practical implications for exploring mineral deposits essential to technology. The research paves the way for future studies on the complex life cycles of Earth’s crustal plates, offering a window into ancient geological processes that shape the modern landscape.

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Researchers Develop Cell-Size Wearable Devices to Restore Neuron Function

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November 5, 2024

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Researchers Develop Cell-Size Wearable Devices to Restore Neuron Function

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have unveiled groundbreaking cell-wearable devices that could transform the treatment of neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS). These micro-scale devices, which wrap around individual neurons, mimic the function of natural myelin and restore the electrical signalling disrupted by neurodegenerative diseases. Battery-free and activated by light, the devices offer a new way to monitor and potentially modulate neuron activity within the body.

Synthetic Myelin for Damaged Axons

As per the report by Neuro Science News, these tiny devices are crafted from a soft polymer that rolls and adheres to axons and dendrites when exposed to specific light wavelengths. This unique action allows the device to envelop neuronal structures without damaging delicate cellular components. According to Deblina Sarkar, head of MIT’s Nano-Cybernetic Biotrek Lab, this design is a step towards creating symbiotic neural interfaces that work at a cellular level. “Our technology allows intimate interfaces with neurons, adapting closely to their complex shapes,” Sarkar explains. By wrapping around axons—the neural “wiring” responsible for transmitting electrical impulses—the device can act like synthetic myelin, potentially restoring functions in damaged neurons.

Advances in Microelectronics

To create these wearables, researchers use azobenzene, a light-sensitive material. When exposed to specific light wavelengths, azobenzene films form microtubes that snugly wrap around neuronal structures. Lead author Marta J. I. Airaghi Leccardi, now a Novartis Innovation Fellow, highlights that the team developed a fabrication technique scalable enough to produce thousands of these microdevices without a semiconductor cleanroom. “This advancement means we can potentially produce cell-wearables in large quantities for therapeutic applications,” says Leccardi.

Future Applications and Possibilities

MIT researchers are optimistic about the potential to integrate these devices with advanced sensors, which could open new pathways for non-invasive brain treatments. The devices may one day help clinicians and researchers monitor electrical, optical, and even thermal signals from neurons, offering a deeper understanding of brain function. Flavia Vitale, associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania, called the research “an exciting foundation” for future in vivo applications, where the devices might aid in treating neurodegenerative diseases more effectively.

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Scientists Create Solar-Powered Animal Cells Using Algal Chloroplasts

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November 5, 2024

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Scientists Create Solar-Powered Animal Cells Using Algal Chloroplasts

Scientists at the University of Tokyo have made a major discovery by creating animal cells that can draw energy from sunlight. This achievement was made possible by embedding chloroplasts, photosynthetic structures found in algae, into animal cells, a process previously thought impossible. The researchers believe this new method could open doors to innovative solutions in artificial tissue development, especially in low-oxygen conditions.

The Experiment and Its Unique Approach

The team selected the CHO-K1 cell line, derived from a Chinese hamster, as the host for the chloroplasts due to its high receptivity to foreign materials. By using chloroplasts from Cyanidioschyzon merolae, a red algae that tolerates warmer environments, the scientists circumvented a key challenge. Unlike other chloroplasts that lose function below 37°C, these algae chloroplasts can stay active at body temperature, making them a suitable choice for integration with animal cells.

New Ground in Cell Integration

For years, attempts to incorporate chloroplasts into animal cells faced a persistent obstacle: these foreign structures were typically broken down within hours. However, the University of Tokyo team observed that, with the right conditions, these chloroplasts maintained photosynthetic activity in hamster cells for up to 48 hours. Through sophisticated imaging techniques, they tracked the photosynthetic process, showing that these chloroplasts continued to generate energy when exposed to light—a significant milestone in cellular biology.

Implications for Future Research

The findings hint at more possibilities for the future. The researchers noted that cells with chloroplasts showed improved growth, possibly due to an additional energy source within the cells. This boost could pave the way for further exploration into how chloroplasts might support cell function and growth. The mechanisms behind the interaction between chloroplasts and animal cell components remain undiscovered. The researchers are keen to understand this dynamic.

Professor Sachihiro Matsunaga, leading the team, envisions these hybrid “planimal” cells as valuable tools in advancing a more sustainable, carbon-neutral approach in biotechnology. With continued research, these hybrid cells could become a crucial element in developing energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly technologies.

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