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A discovery from Australia’s Nilpena Ediacara National Park has revealed the oldest known asymmetrical animal, Quaestio simpsonorum. This creature, which lived around 555 million years ago, resembles a small marine vacuum cleaner, gliding across the ocean floor and feasting on tiny algae and bacteria. What sets Quaestio apart is a backward question-mark-shaped protrusion on its back, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of more complex life forms. Researchers have long been very interested in the Ediacaran period, which spanned from 635 to 541 million years ago. It predated the Cambrian explosion—a time when life on Earth diversified dramatically. The fossils of Quaestio were unearthed in South Australia, where many early complex animal fossils have been found.

According to Scott Evans, a paleobiologist at Florida State University and the lead author of a study published in the journal Evolution and Development, the unique shape of this animal provides insight into how early life evolved. “The animal’s backward question-mark shape clearly separates the left and right sides, something we haven’t seen in other fossils from this era,” he explained.

Movement on the Ocean Floor

What’s even more exciting is that Quaestio was likely capable of movement. Fossilised tracks found behind one of the specimens suggest it could glide across the ocean floor, actively feeding on microorganisms. Mary Droser, a palaeontologist at the University of California, Riverside and a co-author of the study, noted the significance of this finding stating it offered an important insight on evolution of life on Earth.

The asymmetrical features of Quaestio simpsonorum are important for understanding how more complex organisms emerged over time. This ancient creature highlighted an important moment in the history of evolution, giving us a view on the developmental processes that shaped the diversity of life we see today. As researchers continue to study these fascinating fossils, they hope to unlock even more secrets about the origins of animal life on our planet.

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Apophis asteroid may see landslides, tremors during its 2029 Earth flyby

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November 6, 2024

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Apophis asteroid may see landslides, tremors during its 2029 Earth flyby

In April 2029, asteroid Apophis will pass exceptionally close to Earth—at just 20,000 miles away, closer than many satellites. The encounter may trigger significant physical changes on the asteroid’s surface due to Earth’s gravitational pull, potentially causing landslides and tremors, according to a recent study. Apophis, a 340-meter, peanut-shaped asteroid named after the ancient Egyptian deity associated with chaos, is not expected to impact Earth. However, this flyby could offer scientists a unique opportunity to observe how gravitational forces affect small celestial bodies.

New Insights into Surface Alterations

The study, currently available on the arXiv preprint database, has been accepted for publication in The Planetary Science Journal. Asteroid scientist Ronald-Louis Ballouz from Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and his team conducted computational simulations of Apophis to predict the changes Earth’s gravity might induce. Ballouz notes that while meteoroids constantly weather asteroid surfaces in space, close planetary encounters can also alter an asteroid’s appearance. The gravitational pull from Earth is expected to disrupt Apophis’ surface by triggering tremors, lifting rocks, and creating visible patterns.

Predicted Surface Shifts and Landslides

The team’s models suggest that Apophis will experience surface tremors starting an hour before it reaches its closest approach to Earth, potentially dislodging boulders. Although Apophis’ own gravity is weak, this gravitational “shaking” could loft rocks briefly before they fall back, forming new surface features. Additionally, Apophis’ irregular rotation, or “tumbling,” might accelerate or slow down due to Earth’s gravitational influence. These shifts in tumbling could further destabilise rocks over time, potentially leading to gradual landslides that shape the asteroid’s surface over tens of thousands of years.

Future Observations with NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX Mission

Scientists hope to verify these findings when NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft studies Apophis in 2029. Repurposed from its earlier mission to the asteroid Bennu, OSIRIS-APEX is set to examine Apophis’ chemical composition and surface features over an 18-month mission. This research could help solve longstanding questions about how gravitational encounters refresh asteroid surfaces, providing new insights into asteroid dynamics and planetary formation processes.

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Could a hidden planet beyond Neptune be altering the solar system?

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November 6, 2024

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Could a hidden planet beyond Neptune be altering the solar system?

Astronomers may be on the brink of uncovering a ninth hidden planet in our solar system. As theories surrounding its existence gain momentum, the hypothetical planet, often referred to as “Planet Nine,” is suspected to be located far beyond Neptune, in the Kuiper Belt. The Kuiper belt is a region filled with icy objects orbiting the Sun. Though no direct observation has been made, researchers have observed peculiar gravitational anomalies in the Kuiper Belt, suggesting the influence of an unseen, massive object.

Evidence for Planet Nine’s Existence

The potential existence of Planet Nine first gained scientific traction in 2016. It was when Michael Brown and Konstantin Batygin, professors at the California Institute of Technology, proposed that an unseen planet could explain the unusual orbits of certain Kuiper Belt objects. They theorised that the gravitational pull of this planet may be altering the paths of these distant bodies. Brown was also involved in the reclassification of Pluto as a dwarf planet, suggested that Planet Nine could be significantly larger than Earth, possibly ten times its mass.

Tracking the Unseen Planet

Efforts to locate Planet Nine are ongoing, with multiple observatories around the world dedicating resources to the search. Advances in telescope technology and data analysis have provided scientists with more tools to investigate this mystery, though tracking such a distant and faint object remains challenging. Astronomers are focusing on understanding the unusual orbital patterns of smaller objects in the Kuiper Belt, hoping they may eventually lead to Planet Nine’s precise location.

Anticipated Breakthroughs in Near Future

With growing advancements in observational technology and collaborations across the globe, scientists are optimistic. As new telescopes come online and data accumulates, researchers like Brown and Batygin believe that a definitive answer could emerge within the next decade. If discovered, Planet Nine would reshape our understanding of the solar system’s boundaries, marking a major scientific milestone in space exploration.

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Bio-Based Fibres Might Be A Bigger Environmental Threat Than Plastics

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November 6, 2024

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Bio-Based Fibres Might Be A Bigger Environmental Threat Than Plastics

A recent study has suggested that bio-based fibres, often marketed as environmentally friendly replacements for plastics, may pose greater ecological threats than previously assumed. Conducted by the University of Plymouth and the University of Bath as part of the £2.6 million BIO-PLASTIC-RISK project, the research reveals that these fibres, used in everyday items like clothing and wet wipes, can release microfibres that harm ecosystems, particularly through laundry wastewater, sewage sludge, and wear-induced fibre shedding.

Comparing Bio-Based Fibres with Conventional Plastics

In a detailed analysis, scientists compared the impact of conventional polyester with two common bio-based fibres, viscose and lyocell, on earthworms—species vital to soil health. The findings showed that bio-based materials might be significantly more hazardous. In lab tests, up to 80% of earthworms exposed to viscose fibres died, compared to 30 percent mortality among those exposed to polyester. When exposed to lyocell, 60 percent of earthworms did not survive. At lower, environmentally relevant exposure levels, viscose was linked to lower reproduction rates, while lyocell led to reduced growth and altered burrowing behaviours.

Importance of Rigorous Testing for New Materials

Dr. Winnie Courtene-Jones, a Lecturer in Marine Pollution at Bangor University and lead author of the study, pointed out the critical need for more comprehensive testing. She noted that while bio-based and biodegradable fibres are produced in large volumes—over 320,000 tonnes in 2022—insufficient data exists on their environmental impacts. “Our study underscores the importance of evidence-based approaches before rolling out new materials that aim to replace conventional plastics,” Dr. Courtene-Jones stated, highlighting that ecological impacts, especially on soil health, must be factored into evaluations of bio-based products.

Implications for the Future of Plastic Alternatives

This study, which builds on prior research linking biodegradable tea bags to increased earthworm mortality, arrives ahead of key discussions on plastic pollution at the upcoming United Nations conference in Busan, South Korea. Professor Richard Thompson, Head of the University of Plymouth’s International Marine Litter Research Unit, emphasised the need for an evidence-based strategy. He remarked, “Reducing plastic pollution is essential, but this research shows that substitute materials must undergo rigorous environmental testing to avoid unintended consequences.”

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