Connect with us

Published

on

Distant supermassive black holes, far larger than expected, have been detected in the early universe. Observations using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) indicate that these black holes hold a mass nearly 10 percent of their host galaxy’s stellar mass, a stark contrast to the 0.01 percent ratio observed in modern galaxies. This anomaly has raised new questions regarding the rapid formation and growth of black holes in the early stages of cosmic history.

Research Findings on Black Hole Growth

According to the study published in the paper repository arXiv, a team led by Jorryt Matthee, a scientist at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), analysed data from JWST. The findings suggest that some early galaxies, identified as “little red dot” galaxies, contain supermassive black holes with masses nearly 1,000 times higher than previously estimated norms. These galaxies, observed from a time when the universe was around 1.5 billion years old, exhibit an unusual balance between stellar mass and black hole mass, challenging existing growth models.

Implications for Early Universe Cosmology

As per reports, these small galaxies exhibit a red hue due to the presence of an accretion disk surrounding the black holes. The intense gravitational pull allows for rapid matter consumption, potentially accelerating black hole expansion beyond current theoretical expectations. The study indicates that the density of surrounding gas in the early universe may have facilitated this extraordinary growth. Matthee stated to Space.com that these findings provide a promising avenue for further understanding black hole evolution.

Further Observations Needed

Researchers emphasise the need for additional studies to confirm whether measurement errors or selection bias contributed to these unexpected results. Ongoing observations with JWST aim to refine the understanding of early black hole formation, shedding light on whether these supermassive black holes were nurtured by dense galactic environments or formed through alternative mechanisms, such as direct gas collapse. The findings suggest that black holes and star formation are more interconnected than previously thought, prompting a reassessment of cosmic evolution models.

Continue Reading

Science

NASA Finalises Crew for Axiom Space’s Fourth Private Astronaut Mission in 2025

Published

on

By

NASA Finalises Crew for Axiom Space's Fourth Private Astronaut Mission in 2025

NASA and its international collaborators have finalised the crew for Axiom Space’s fourth private astronaut mission, set to launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft no earlier than spring 2025. The mission, departing from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, will see four astronauts spending up to 14 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The crew includes former NASA astronaut and Axiom Space’s director of human spaceflight Peggy Whitson as commander, ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla as pilot, and mission specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from the European Space Agency (ESA) and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.

Private Astronaut Missions Expand Space Access

According to NASA’s International Space Station Program Manager Dana Weigel, private astronaut missions are contributing to advancements in low Earth orbit operations. Weigel said that these missions are helping pave the way for commercial space activities while increasing accessibility to microgravity research. This mission will mark the first time an ISRO astronaut will board the ISS as part of a joint effort between NASA and the Indian space agency. It will also be the first ISS stay for astronauts from Poland and Hungary.

Axiom Space’s Growing Role in Private Spaceflight

As reported, Axiom Space has been steadily expanding its private spaceflight program since its inaugural mission in April 2022. Each mission has varied in duration, with the most recent, Axiom Mission 3, remaining docked at the ISS for 18 days in January 2024. Whitson, who also commanded Axiom Mission 2 in May 2023, highlighted the significance of international partnerships in commercial spaceflight, stating that each mission brings new opportunities for participating nations.

Future of Low Earth Orbit Operations

NASA’s long-term objective involves fostering a sustainable commercial space economy, allowing the agency to focus resources on deep space exploration. The ISS continues to serve as a key testing ground for space research and technology, supporting both government-led and private-sector initiatives.

Continue Reading

Science

Reef Sharks in French Polynesia Suffer Health Consequences From Feeding

Published

on

By

Reef Sharks in French Polynesia Suffer Health Consequences From Feeding

Blacktip reef sharks in French Polynesia are experiencing adverse effects on their health due to frequent exposure to low-quality food scraps from tourists. Reports indicate that these sharks, commonly found in the waters around Mo’orea, are being fed everything from frozen squid to human leftovers. This feeding practice has led to significant changes in their metabolism, movement, and reproductive patterns. Concerns have been raised regarding the long-term consequences on the species, classified as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Shark Feeding Practices Impact Metabolism

According to a study published in Animal Conservation, research conducted by marine behavioural ecologist Johann Mourier at the University of Montpellier and his team examined the metabolic and reproductive changes in these sharks. Over a three-year period, blood samples from 117 blacktip reef sharks across 17 sites—five of which were known for frequent tourist-driven feeding—were analysed. The results indicated that sharks at feeding sites displayed lower red blood cell levels, a marker of overall health. Blood glucose levels in females were also found to be lower, suggesting that the scraps provided lacked adequate nutritional value compared to their natural diet.

Reproductive Changes Observed in Feeding Site Sharks

Data from the study also highlighted notable shifts in reproductive hormone levels. Males at feeding sites exhibited increased testosterone levels, potentially due to heightened competition over food. Female sharks at non-feeding sites were consistently pregnant and exhibited triple the estrogen levels compared to those at feeding locations, where not all females carried pups. Scientists suggest that an unpredictable and nutritionally insufficient diet may be impacting reproductive success, ultimately affecting population sustainability.

Calls for Better Regulation of Shark Feeding

In an interview with Science News, Natascha Wosnick, a biologist at the Cape Eleuthera Institute, stated that unregulated shark feeding can alter natural behaviour and compromise welfare. Concerns extend beyond Mo’orea, as other species, such as nurse sharks in the Bahamas, may face similar risks due to increased energy expenditure linked to human-provided food. Experts suggest implementing regulations on the types of food offered to sharks, particularly during breeding seasons, to mitigate the negative impact on their health and reproduction.

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.


Oppo Find N5, Find X8 Ultra Tipped to Feature Telephoto Macro Lens



iQOO Neo 10R to Launch in India in an Exclusive Dual-Tone Colourway

Continue Reading

Science

New Cosmic Surveys Reveal Unexpected Clues About Universe’s Evolution

Published

on

By

New Cosmic Surveys Reveal Unexpected Clues About Universe’s Evolution

New research examining data from two major cosmic surveys indicates that the universe may have evolved in a way that is more complex than previously thought. A team led by Joshua Kim and Mathew Madhavacheril at the University of Pennsylvania, in collaboration with researchers from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, analysed data from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) and the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI). Their findings hint at a small discrepancy in the expected distribution of cosmic structures, particularly in the last four billion years.

Cosmic Observations and Findings

According to the study published in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics and on the preprint server arXiv, researchers combined ACT’s cosmic microwave background (CMB) lensing data with DESI’s luminous red galaxy (LRG) distribution. ACT’s observations provide insight into the early universe, measuring faint light from around 380,000 years after the Big Bang, while DESI maps the three-dimensional distribution of millions of galaxies to understand cosmic structure formation in more recent epochs.

By overlaying these datasets, researchers created a comprehensive view of cosmic evolution. The study further highlights that the comparison revealed a potential deviation in the expected clumpiness of matter, measured using Sigma 8 (σ8), a key metric for density fluctuations. A lower-than-expected σ8 value suggests that cosmic structures may not have formed exactly as predicted by standard models based on early-universe conditions.

Potential Implications and Future Research

In an official press release from the University of Pennsylvania, Mathew Madhavacheril, assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania, noted that while the results mostly align with Einstein’s theory of gravity, this minor discrepancy in clumpiness remains intriguing. He emphasised that the deviation is not yet statistically significant enough to confirm new physics but warrants further investigation.

One hypothesis under consideration is the influence of dark energy, a force driving the universe’s accelerating expansion, which could be impacting the formation of cosmic structures differently than expected. Future observations with advanced telescopes, such as the Simons Observatory, are expected to refine these measurements and provide a clearer understanding of cosmic evolution.

Researchers will continue to gather data to determine whether this discrepancy is an anomaly or a sign of an underlying mechanism not yet accounted for in current cosmological models.

Continue Reading

Trending