NASA is set to provide an update on its Mars Sample Return (MSR) program during an audio-only press conference on January 7 at 1:00 p.m. EST. The program, which aims to bring samples from Mars to Earth for detailed scientific study, has faced challenges related to cost and timeline, with estimates suggesting a potential expenditure of $11 billion and a completion date as late as 2040. This announcement is expected to shed light on efforts to address these issues.

Mars Sample Return Goals and Challenges

According to a statement by NASA, as reported by space.com, the MSR program seeks to return scientifically chosen samples collected by the Perseverance rover to advance understanding of Mars’ geology, climate evolution, and potential ancient life. Initial plans involved a collaborative mission with the European Space Agency (ESA), using a lander to retrieve samples from Perseverance and a separate spacecraft to return them to Earth.

Reports suggest that the program’s rising costs and technical complexities have led to significant revisions. A cost estimate of $3 billion in 2020 increased to $11 billion by 2024, and assessments have highlighted delays that could extend the timeline to 2040. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson stated during an April 2024 media briefing, covered by Spaceflight Now, that such delays and costs are “unacceptable.”

Industry Collaboration to Reduce Costs and Time

Efforts to streamline the mission have been ongoing, with the involvement of private industry to propose cost-effective solutions. During a December 18 briefing at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Nelson remarked on the importance of incorporating industry expertise, which could lead to accelerated timelines and reduced costs.

China’s plans to launch its own Mars sample return mission by 2028, aiming for a 2031 completion, have added competitive urgency to NASA’s project. Details of the revised plan and the role of external partners are expected to be outlined during the upcoming briefing.
The event will be available for public listening on NASA’s official website.

A study has explored the techniques used by chimpanzees to select stone tools for cracking nuts, revealing possible similarities to methods employed by ancient human ancestors. Researchers observed that chimpanzees, like early hominins, exhibited a deliberate process in choosing stones based on specific properties rather than appearance. This insight has prompted discussions about parallels in tool use and the transmission of knowledge between modern chimps and early humans, offering clues about evolutionary behaviours.

Insights from the Study

According to research published in the Journal of Human Evolution, the team examined the processes behind chimpanzees’ selection of hammer and anvil stones. These tools are integral to the process of nut cracking, with the hammer used to strike and the anvil supporting the nut. The researchers provided chimpanzees with premeasured stones, assessing attributes such as hardness, elasticity, weight, and shape. The chimps consistently opted for harder stones as hammers and softer, stable ones as anvils, demonstrating an understanding of mechanical efficiency.

The study’s co-author, Dr. Lydia Luncz, a behavioural scientist, noted to Phys.org that the choices reflected the chimps’ ability to evaluate mechanical properties effectively. The findings align with earlier studies indicating that early human ancestors, known as Oldowan hominins, selected stones for their functional qualities when crafting tools over 2.5 million years ago.

Generational Learning Among Chimps

It was observed that younger chimpanzees often mimicked the tool selections of older individuals, suggesting that knowledge of effective stone tools may be passed down through generations. This behaviour highlights a potential parallel to early human societies, where skill transfer played a crucial role in survival and technological advancement.

The researchers believe that understanding these patterns in chimpanzees could provide valuable context for interpreting the behaviours of ancient hominins, shedding light on how tool use evolved and contributed to human development.

A volcanic eruption in A.D. 536 and subsequent climatic disruptions have been cited as pivotal moments in history, as per reports. While often characterised as catastrophic, these events have been reexamined, with findings indicating that the eastern Roman Empire, contrary to earlier claims, experienced growth in population and trade during this period. This conclusion challenges widely accepted views connecting climate change and disease to the empire’s decline, presenting a new perspective on historical dynamics.

Findings from Recent Studies

As reported by Live Science, according to a study published in November, assertions regarding significant population decline and economic collapse in the 6th century eastern Roman Empire were based on isolated findings and limited case studies. Reanalysed data, including carbon-14 dating and ceramic analysis, indicates that the decline in regions such as Elusa, located in present-day Israel, did not occur until the 7th century. This shift in timeline disassociates these changes from the Justinianic plague and volcanic events, which preceded them by decades.

Broader Archaeological Data

Large-scale datasets derived from surveys, excavations, and shipwrecks across former Roman territories reveal a different narrative. Archaeological records spanning regions including modern-day Israel, Tunisia, and Greece demonstrate correlations indicating growth in population and commerce during the 6th century. The shipwreck database further highlights increased naval activity, marking a peak in economic prosperity during this era.

Shifts in Regional Impact

While some regions, such as Scandinavia, exhibited declines and site abandonments linked to climate shifts in the mid-6th century, these patterns were not observed in the eastern Roman Empire, as per reports. Researchers suggest that regional variations in climate impact explain these discrepancies.

Historical Context and Implications

The findings depict the Roman Empire entering the 7th century at its zenith, with declines attributed to military miscalculations and conflicts with Persian forces. These events, rather than earlier climatic or epidemiological factors, are suggested to have set the stage for the eventual rise of Islam and broader geopolitical changes.