Storm Éowyn Hits UK and Ireland: Red Alerts for Snow, Wind, and Flooding
A powerful “bomb cyclone,” named Storm Éowyn, is expected to impact the United Kingdom and Ireland, bringing snow, heavy rainfall, and winds reaching speeds of up to 160 km/h. The storm is forecasted to strike the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and parts of Scotland on January 24, with severe weather conditions anticipated across England and Wales as well. Meteorological agencies have issued red weather warnings for several regions, signifying the potential for life-threatening conditions and significant disruptions.
Severe Weather Warnings Issued
According to Met Éireann and the UK Met Office, the storm is developing explosively as air pressure drops rapidly, creating dangerous conditions. A red warning, the most severe category, has been issued for the entirety of Ireland, while similar alerts are in place for Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland. The warnings emphasise the risks posed by strong winds, flooding, and heavy snowfall.
Rapid Intensification Explained
In a statement released by the University of Reading, Ambrogio Volonte, a cyclone research scientist, explained that the storm is intensifying at an exceptional rate due to a combination of atmospheric and oceanic conditions. The sharp temperature contrast between Arctic air and warmer subtropical air, along with a strong jet stream, is fueling the rapid development of the cyclone.
Comparison to Previous Storms
As reported by Live Science, the structure and predicted intensity of Storm Éowyn are drawing comparisons to previous destructive storms, such as Storm Eunice in 2022. During that event, falling trees caused fatalities, and widespread power outages impacted over a million homes. Experts warn that Éowyn could result in similar, if not greater, damage across affected regions.
Public Advised to Prepare for Impact
Officials are urging residents in affected areas to take precautions, stay updated on weather alerts, and avoid unnecessary travel during the storm. Emergency services remain on high alert as the cyclone approaches, with severe impacts expected to persist throughout the weekend.
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A major development in stem cell science has been achieved with the creation of a bi-paternal mouse, marking a significant step in reproductive biology. Scientists have successfully engineered a mouse with two male biological parents, which managed to survive into adulthood. This research, conducted by a team of stem cell experts, has addressed longstanding barriers in unisexual mammalian reproduction by modifying specific imprinting genes. The findings, which could have implications for regenerative medicine, highlight the challenges and potential future applications of the technology.
Genetic Modifications Enable Bi-Paternal Development
According to the study published in Cell Stem Cell, led by Wei Li of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the team focused on overcoming imprinting-related challenges that previously prevented embryos with same-sex genetic origins from developing fully. Modifications were made to 20 imprinting genes using techniques such as frameshift mutations, gene deletions, and regulatory region edits. These changes allowed some bi-paternal embryos to survive to birth and, in rare cases, reach adulthood.
Co-corresponding author Qi Zhou of CAS explained to phys.org, that imprinting genes have been identified as a key obstacle in unisexual reproduction. Despite previous attempts using ovarian organoids derived from male stem cells, imprinting abnormalities caused severe developmental defects. By directly editing these genes, the research team improved embryonic viability and the stability of pluripotent stem cells.
Survival and Reproductive Challenges Remain
As per reports, only 11.8 percent of the engineered embryos developed to birth, and those that survived exhibited developmental abnormalities, reduced lifespan, and sterility. Guan-Zheng Luo of Sun Yat-sen University, a co-corresponding author, stated that imprinting abnormalities have been confirmed as the primary factor preventing unisexual reproduction in mammals.
Despite the limitations, this approach has demonstrated the potential for refining stem cell-based therapies and improving cloning efficiency. Researchers plan to expand the study to larger mammals, though substantial challenges remain due to differences in imprinting gene patterns across species.
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An unidentified celestial object, estimated to be eight times the mass of Jupiter, may have significantly altered the orbits of four outer planets in the solar system. Reports suggest that this planetary-sized body entered the solar system billions of years ago, passing remarkably close to the Sun—near what is now Mars’ orbit. The event is believed to have modified the trajectories of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, contributing to their current orbital patterns. Scientists have long debated the irregularities in the paths of these planets, and this theory presents a potential explanation.
Study Simulates Interstellar Flyby
According to the study published in the arXiv preprint database, a research team led by planetary scientist Renu Malhotra from the University of Arizona used computer simulations to investigate the possibility of a close flyby. A total of 50,000 simulations were conducted to analyse how an interstellar object’s passage could have affected planetary orbits over millions of years. The study focused on objects smaller than stars but larger than Jupiter, including brown dwarfs and planetary-mass bodies. The findings suggest that in about 1% of the cases, the visiting object influenced planetary movements in a way that closely matches current observations.
Close Encounter with the Inner Solar System
As reported by Live Science, Malhotra explained that previous models could not fully account for the slight deviations in planetary orbits. The simulations revealed that the most accurate representation involved a body nearly eight times Jupiter’s mass, approaching as close as 1.69 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun. Given that Mars orbits at around 1.5 AU, this suggests a dramatic interaction within the inner solar system.
Potential for More Such Events
Reports indicate that substellar objects are relatively common in the universe, making such flybys more likely than encounters with full-sized stars. The study has yet to undergo peer review, but the findings suggest that a single interstellar object could have been responsible for shaping the structure of the solar system as observed today.
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