Connect with us

Published

on

A significant archaeological find has emerged in Denmark, revealing an extraordinary burial ground containing the remains of approximately 50 individuals from the Viking Age, dating back to the 900s. This remarkable discovery was made during preparatory work for laying electrical cables near the village of Åsum on the island of Funen. Archaeologists from Museum Odense unearthed these graves over the past six months, marking a rare opportunity to study human remains from this era.

Unusual Preservation Conditions

The preservation of skeletal remains from the Viking Age is uncommon in Scandinavia, primarily due to the region’s acidic soil, which poorly retains bones. Therefore, the excavation of 50 graves represents a significant breakthrough in understanding the Viking culture. Archaeologist Michael Borre Lundø from Museum Odense noted the exceptional nature of this find, as it allows for a range of scientific analyses that could shed light on the health, diet, and origins of those buried at the site.

Insights into Viking Society

The burial ground offers insights into the social hierarchy of the time, as many individuals buried there appear to have been of high status, as indicated by the grave goods accompanying them. One notable burial features a woman interred in a Viking wagon, adorned with luxurious items such as a beautiful glass bead necklace, an iron key, a knife with a silver-threaded handle, and a small glass shard that may have been used as an amulet.

Evidence of Trade and Wealth

The richness of the grave goods, including a finely crafted wooden chest and a decorative bronze buckle, suggests that the individuals buried at Åsum were likely connected to extensive trade networks that flourished during the Viking Age. Items like rock crystal, which is not native to Denmark, further indicate the wealth and international connections of the Viking society.

This discovery not only enhances our understanding of Viking burial customs but also highlights the cultural significance of the region during the Viking Age, especially under the rule of King Gorm “the Old” and Queen Thyra.

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.


Supermassive Black Hole Jets Spark Increased Nova Explosions, Hubble Discovers



Asus ProArt PZ13 Review: For the Creative Nomad

Continue Reading

Science

Microplastics Could Be Changing Earth’s Climate, Reveals New Study

Published

on

By

Microplastics Could Be Changing Earth’s Climate, Reveals New Study

Scientists at Penn State University have identified that microplastics present in the atmosphere could be influencing the Earth’s climate. A study published in Environmental Science and Technology: Air reveals that these tiny plastic particles may act as ice nucleating agents within clouds, impacting precipitation, weather, and possibly even aviation. Although the precise effects remain unclear, the findings highlight the possibility of microplastics playing an underestimated role in climate dynamics.

Microplastics Detected in Remote and Extreme Locations

As per the study, Microplastics—particles less than five millimetres in size—have been found globally, from deep ocean trenches to high-altitude clouds. Penn State’s research now adds that airborne microplastics, found even in remote mountain regions, may contribute to climate change by altering cloud structures. Professor Miriam Freedman, a senior author and chemistry professor at Penn State, stated that the study underscores the need to understand microplastics’ interactions with the atmospheric system, especially in cloud formation processes.

Laboratory Analysis Reveals Microplastic Behaviour in Ice Formation

The study further mentions that in the experiments, the research team examined how four types of microplastics—low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET)—affect ice formation. The particles were reported to suspended in water droplets and cooled, revealing that microplastic-laden droplets froze at higher temperatures compared to those without. Lead author Heidi Busse, a Penn State graduate researcher, reported that the presence of microplastics allowed freezing at up to 10 degrees warmer, signifying that such particles could promote cloud ice nucleation at milder temperatures.

Implications for Climate Patterns and Precipitation

While the full impact of microplastics on climate remains uncertain, Dr. Freedman suggests they may alter precipitation patterns by influencing cloud properties. In areas with high microplastic levels, water dispersal among many particles could result in smaller droplets, delaying rainfall but potentially leading to heavier precipitation once droplets coalesce.

Environmental Ageing and Future Research Directions

Environmental factors, such as exposure to sunlight and atmospheric chemicals, also appear to affect microplastics’ ice-forming potential, with aged PVC showing increased nucleation ability. Future research will focus on additives in plastics, which could reveal further effects on Earth’s climate.

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.


New Fire-Resilient Dicliptera Polymorpha Discovered in India’s Western Ghats



NASA’s Atmospheric Waves Experiment Captures Gravity Waves From Hurricane Helene in Florida

Continue Reading

Science

New Fire-Resilient Plant Species Found in India’s Western Ghats

Published

on

By

New Fire-Resilient Plant Species Found in India’s Western Ghats

A new plant species, Dicliptera polymorpha, notable for its resilience to fire and dual blooming pattern, has been identified in the Northern Western Ghats by scientists from the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune. This rare find contributes to the biodiversity records of one of India’s major ecological hotspots. Unlike typical plants, Dicliptera polymorpha showcases an unusual adaptation, flowering twice a year, with one phase triggered by grassland fires. This unique characteristic makes it one of the few known Indian species with such adaptive flowering.

Unique Fire Response and Growth Characteristics

As per the official release from Department of Science & Technology, Dicliptera polymorpha, collected in Talegaon-Dabhade’s grasslands by ARI botanists, demonstrates a remarkable response to grassland fires that periodically sweep the region. A research team led by Dr. Mandar Datar, with botanist Adittya Dharap and Ph.D. student Bhushan Shigwan, observed that while the plant’s primary flowering occurs post-monsoon, a second, shorter flowering phase is prompted by fire exposure, with dwarf shoots emerging from woody rootstocks. The plant’s adaptation is seen as an evolved survival trait in response to the region’s harsh climatic conditions and human-ignited fires.

Validation and Conservation Implications

The distinctive inflorescence of Dicliptera polymorpha was confirmed as a new species by Dr. I. Darbyshire from the Kew Botanic Garden, London. Published recently in Kew Bulletin, the study highlights the species’ potential for conservation interest due to its limited habitat and specialised blooming cycle. Conservation efforts are recommended to manage human-induced fires sustainably to protect the delicate grassland ecosystems that support species like Dicliptera polymorpha, emphasising the ecological importance of the Western Ghats and the need for targeted management to prevent habitat degradation.

In light of this discovery, the researchers stress the urgency of conserving the Western Ghats’ unique biodiversity, which remains a source of undiscovered species with adaptive traits.

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.


Signal Updated With Call Links Feature, Raise Hand Button, Emoji Reactions and More Improvements



NASA’s Atmospheric Waves Experiment Captures Gravity Waves From Hurricane Helene in Florida

Continue Reading

Science

Tiny Indian CubeSat to Ride Japanese Lander to Moon

Published

on

By

Tiny Indian CubeSat to Ride Japanese Lander to Moon

In a new partnership between India and Japan, an Indian CubeSat is set to accompany a Japanese lunar lander to orbit the Moon. HEX20Labs India Private Limited has announced a collaborative mission with the Japanese firm ispace, intending to launch a CubeSat aboard one of ispace’s lunar landers in an upcoming mission. The agreement, signed by HEX20Labs’ Co-Founder and CEO Lloyd Jacob Lopez and ispace’s Founder and CEO Takeshi Hakamada in Milan, marks a significant step in extending Indian satellite operations beyond Earth’s orbit.

As per official report by ispace, the CubeSat will be built by HEX20Labs, aiming to conduct scientific research and technological trials in cislunar space, further integrating India’s technological contributions into international lunar missions. ispace has multiple lunar landing ventures planned, but details on which mission will include HEX20Labs’ CubeSat remain undisclosed.

Mission Details

The mission, according to ispace, will help accelerate lunar exploration by standardising satellite platforms and interfaces necessary for effective operations in cislunar space. “Standardisation of satellite and its interfaces are essential to accelerate cislunar space activities,” said Takeshi Hakamada, Founder & CEO of ispace. This collaboration with HEX20Labs, he added, aligns with these goals.

In addition to HEX20Labs, the partnership also includes Skyroot Aerospace, an Indian aerospace company noted for launching India’s first private rocket in 2022, adding another key player to this international mission.

Japan’s Lunar Endeavours and Future Prospects

Japan’s recent lunar success, including the precise landing by its Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) in January 2024, demonstrates significant advancements in lunar exploration, which are anticipated to benefit the current project. ispace’s upcoming Mission 2, expected to launch in December 2024, involves a 1000 kg lander named Resilience, along with a small rover, Tenacious, aimed at exploring the Mare Frigoris region.

Continue Reading

Trending