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During monsoon, or even otherwise, there have been innumerable times that have we stepped out of our homes without an umbrella only to find the rain surprising us. To add to our troubles, on days even the weather forecasts have been bad at predicting the chances of rain and have let us down miserably. Now, scientists at the Google-owned London lab DeepMind have developed a forecasting system based on artificial intelligence (AI) that, they claim, can tell more accurately than the existing systems if there is any likelihood of rain in the next two hours.

To develop the AI-based “nowcasting” system, scientists at DeepMind have partnered with the meteorologists working in the 24/7 operational centre at the Met Office (the UK’s national meteorology service).

The report of the study was published in the journal Nature. It says that high-resolution forecasting of rainfall up to two hours ahead, known as precipitation nowcasting, is crucial and goes on to add that four consecutive radar observations of the past 20 minutes are used as context for a generator to estimate if rainfall is expected in the next 90 minutes.

The report also states that “using statistical, economic, and cognitive measures” the system “provides improved forecast quality, forecast consistency, and forecast value, providing fast and accurate short-term predictions at lead times where existing methods struggle”.

To train and evaluate nowcasting models over the UK, the system used radar composites collected every five minutes between January 1, 2016, and December 31. 2019. The report stated that the DeepMind team’s model provided “improved forecast quality, forecast consistency, and forecast value”, and, “using a systematic evaluation by more than 50 expert meteorologists”, was accurate in 89 percent of cases against two existing rain prediction systems.

However, the report also states that there are challenges for this approach to probabilistic nowcasting. Though, through meteorologist assessment, the system proved to be good at skillful predictions compared to other solutions, “the prediction of heavy precipitation at long lead times remains difficult for all approaches”. But the scientists hope that their “work will serve as a foundation for new data, code and verification methods — as well as the greater integration of machine learning and environmental science in forecasting larger sets of environmental variables — that makes it possible to both provide competitive verification and operational utility”.

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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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