Ancient hominin Australopithecus afarensis could run, but not fast
In a study published in Current Biology, researchers have revealed that Australopithecus afarensis, an ancient hominin species, exhibited a limited capacity for running. This small bipedal ancestor, which lived over three million years ago, was capable of running on two legs but could not match the speed or efficiency of modern humans. According to reports, these findings were achieved through advanced 3D simulations, providing insights into the muscular and skeletal adaptations that have evolved in the human lineage.
Insights from 3D Models
Researchers led by Karl Bates, an evolutionary biomechanics expert at the University of Liverpool, utilised a 3D model of the iconic “Lucy” skeleton, a near-complete specimen of A. afarensis discovered in Ethiopia, as per sources. Muscle mass estimations were derived from modern apes and applied to the fossil data. Through computer simulations, the team evaluated Lucy’s running capabilities against those of a digital model of a modern human.
The analysis revealed that Lucy could run, but her speed peaked at approximately five metres per second. In comparison, modern humans in the model reached speeds of about eight metres per second. Reports attribute this disparity to Lucy’s anatomical structure, including her lack of a lengthened Achilles tendon and other features crucial for endurance running.
Energy Efficiency and Muscular Adaptations
The study also explored energy expenditure during running by modifying Lucy’s digital model with modern human-like ankle muscles. When these muscles were incorporated, the energy costs of running became similar to those observed in animals of a comparable size. However, replacing these muscles with ape-like features significantly increased energy demands, highlighting the importance of muscular and tendon adaptations in the evolution of human endurance running.
Herman Pontzer, an evolutionary anthropologist at Duke University, commented to Nature that the study offers a comprehensive approach to understanding human evolution. The researchers plan to expand their investigation into fatigue and bone strain to further assess the physical limitations of A. afarensis in endurance activities.
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In June 2024, scientists detected a mysterious, powerful burst of radio waves originating from within our galaxy. At first, they thought it was coming from a pulsar or another undiscovered cosmic object. However, an analysis revealed the origin of the signal was too close to the Earth. Astronomers think it was caused by a long-dead NASA satellite Relay 2, was launched in 1964 but ceased operations in 1967 after its communication systems failed. Yet, nearly 60 years later, it mysteriously emitted a powerful radio signal, the researchers said in a new preprint study, which was posted June 13 to the server arXiv and has not yet been peer-reviewed.
Relay 2: A Silent Satellite Sends a Loud Signal
According to the study, the signal was detected using the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) telescope array. These intense flashes typically originate from deep space and can carry more energy in milliseconds than the sun emits over several days.
But this signal, lasting just 30 nanoseconds, was traced back to the vicinity of Earth, too close for ASKAP to focus on clearly. After ruling out cosmic sources, the team traced the pulse to the orbit of Relay 2. Despite having no functioning systems, the satellite somehow emitted the brightest radio flash in the sky at that moment.
Researchers proposed two theories: a micrometeorite impact that created a radio-emitting plasma cloud, or an electrostatic discharge (ESD) caused by charge buildup on the satellite’s aging materials.
New Clues About Spacecraft Behavior and Space Debris
Though both mechanisms could produce similar signals, scientists lean toward electrostatic discharge as the likelier cause. According to space physicists, older spacecraft like Relay 2 may be especially prone to such energy releases due to outdated materials and limited shielding.
Karen Aplin told New Scientist that studying these accidental emissions could help monitor ESD events on today’s small satellites — many of which also lack advanced protection. In an increasingly crowded orbital environment, this detection method may offer a novel tool for evaluating space debris and satellite health.
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The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has captured its first direct image of a newly discovered exoplanet. Astronomers announced that Webb imaged a Saturn-mass planet orbiting the nearby young star TWA 7. Dubbed TWA 7 b, the planet’s mass is only about 0.3 times that of Jupiter – roughly Saturn’s mass – making it the smallest planet ever seen via direct imaging. Most of the nearly 6,000 known exoplanets have been detected indirectly. To spot TWA 7 b, the JWST team used a coronagraph (like a solar eclipse) to block the star’s light and reveal the faint planet.
Detecting a Hidden World
According to the study published in the journal Nature, Webb’s team targeted TWA 7 because its dusty disk is viewed nearly face-on, revealing clear ring structures. They used Webb’s MIRI instrument with a coronagraph to mask the star’s glare. After processing the data, a faint infrared point source appeared roughly 1.5 arcseconds from TWA 7 (about 50 times the Earth–Sun distance).
This source lies in a gap of the star’s second dust ring. Its brightness and color match what theoretical models predict for a young, cold planet roughly Saturn’s mass. The object seems to be carving out the ring gap just as an orbiting planet would. Astronomers ruled out other explanations (like a background star) to confirm the signal is best explained by a planet.
A Step Toward Smaller Worlds
TWA 7 b’s Saturn-like mass makes it about ten times less massive than any exoplanet previously captured in a direct image. Its discovery shows that Webb can now image worlds far smaller than the giant exoplanets seen before. Scientists say the telescope may eventually detect planets as light as 10% of Jupiter’s mass, pushing toward Earth-like size.
This breakthrough “paves the way” to imaging truly terrestrial planets in the future. Astronomers even predict that upcoming observatories could dramatically increase the number of Earth-size planets seen by direct imaging. Next-generation telescopes – on the ground and in space – are being planned with even more powerful coronagraphs to hunt for the first directly photographed Earth analogues.
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