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Archaeologists in Sweden have discovered a surprising Viking Age cemetery containing more than 100 graves and ship-shaped burial sites in the village of Tvååker, southwest Sweden. Originally, the team had aimed to locate an ancient settlement but found the cemetery instead. According to Petra Nordin, the project lead at the National Historical Museums, only a small fraction of this extensive burial site has been excavated.

Initial Discovery and Historical Context

First identified in 2017, the cemetery was discovered during surveys for upcoming road construction. Though the village of Tvååker appears in historical records, the burial ground had been hidden due to centuries of agricultural activity, which damaged above-ground traces. Excavations conducted from 2017 to 2019 revealed 139 graves, complete with human and animal remains, metal artefacts, and ceramic vessels. Some graves included large stones arranged in a boat-like formation. It reflected a common Viking burial ritual.

Unique Burial Finds

One particularly notable grave contained 17 vessels alongside woven weights, iron arrowheads and animal bones. These elements suggested a complex funeral rite. Archaeologists believe a structure may have been erected to enhance airflow for an elevated cremation pyre, a significant aspect of Viking burial customs. Evidence suggests that animals, possibly sacrificed as offerings, were placed over the graves, which were later encircled by stones in a “stone ship” layout.

Cultural Artefacts and Timeline

Among the discoveries was a fragment of a silver coin from Arabia, dated to between 795 and 806 AD, helping to frame the cemetery within the late 8th and early 9th centuries. The team has yet to identify the Viking settlement linked to the cemetery, with ongoing research aimed at uncovering its exact location. According to Nordin, they are exploring whether this village might be situated near the burial ground or further along the Tvååker River.

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

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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.

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



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

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

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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.

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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

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Tiny Indian CubeSat to Ride Japanese Lander to Moon

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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.

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