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Astronomers have detected an astrosphere around a star resembling the Sun, marking a significant milestone in understanding stellar evolution. This finding, shared during the 25 Years of Science with Chandra symposium on December 3, 2024, provides a rare view into the early conditions of stars like the Sun. An astrosphere, described as a bubble of ionised gas formed by stellar wind, acts as a protective shell around stars. The discovery has shed light on how these structures are formed and their role in shielding planetary systems from cosmic radiation.

What Defines an Astrosphere?

Astrospheres are created by a star’s stellar wind, a continuous stream of charged particles. For instance, the Sun’s heliosphere serves as an example, extending beyond Pluto and safeguarding the solar system from cosmic rays. Despite extensive research, such phenomena had not been observed around stars with characteristics similar to the Sun. As per reports, Carey Lisse, a researcher at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, noted in an interview with a prominent science publication that the detection of astrospheres around average stars has been elusive for over two decades.

Key Target: HD 61005, Known as “The Moth”

The star HD 61005, dubbed “The Moth” for its distinctive wing-like dust disk, became the focus of this investigation. Its rapid movement through a dense interstellar gas cloud at approximately 10 kilometres per second has resulted in the unique shape of its surrounding disk. According to sources, HD 61005, which mirrors the size and mass of the Sun, was chosen for its youthful stage at 100 million years old. Young stars like this typically emit stronger stellar winds, providing ideal conditions for studying astrospheres.

X-ray Data Unveil Unexpected Details

Observations captured by NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory revealed a halo of X-rays encasing HD 61005. This structure extends nearly 100 times farther than the Sun’s heliosphere. Contrary to expectations, the astrosphere displayed a spherical shape, suggesting the star’s intense wind counteracts external pressures.

Insights into Solar Evolution

The findings are believed to offer clues about the early behaviour of the Sun and its protective influences on the young Earth. Understanding such phenomena could also aid in evaluating the habitability of planets orbiting stars with similar properties. The study represents a leap in comprehending the protective role of astrospheres across stellar systems.

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69-Year-Old Man with Paralysis Flies Virtual Drone Using Brain Implant

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January 22, 2025

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69-Year-Old Man with Paralysis Flies Virtual Drone Using Brain Implant

A paralysed individual, aged 69, has successfully piloted a virtual drone using a brain-computer interface (BCI) that interprets neural signals. This innovative achievement has enabled the participant to navigate a video-game obstacle course by imagining specific finger movements. The breakthrough device, which bridges brain activity and real-time control, demonstrates potential applications for assisting those with mobility challenges to engage in intricate tasks. These developments mark significant progress in the application of BCIs for enhancing motor functions.

Breakthrough Detailed in Nature Medicine

According to a study published in Nature Medicine, the man, who had been paralysed in all four limbs following a spinal cord injury, controlled the virtual drone using neural signals linked to imagined movements of specific finger groups. The research relied on electrodes implanted in the participant’s left motor cortex, which had been placed during a prior operation in 2016. Algorithms were trained to decode the brain’s signals when he visualised moving his right thumb, different finger pairs, or combinations of them.

The researchers reported that the participant initially practised synchronising imagined movements with a virtual hand displayed on a screen, achieving a high degree of accuracy by hitting up to 76 targets per minute. Subsequently, the signals were connected to the drone’s navigation system, allowing him to steer it through a virtual basketball court, manoeuvring rings with precision.

Expert Insights on Potential Applications

Matthew Willsey, a neurosurgeon at the University of Michigan and a co-author of the study, told Nature Medicine that the participant likened the experience to playing a musical instrument, requiring delicate adjustments to maintain control. Willsey noted that the research seeks to enable control of multiple movements simultaneously, potentially assisting activities such as typing or playing musical instruments.

John Downey, a BCI researcher from the University of Chicago, described the work as an important initial step in understanding hand control mechanisms. He highlighted the potential of this technology as a versatile tool for individuals with limited mobility. Researchers aim to enhance the system to decode signals for all ten fingers.

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Hubble Telescope Observes Two Young Stars in Orion Nebula

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January 22, 2025

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Hubble Telescope Observes Two Young Stars in Orion Nebula

Two young stars have been captured in a new image taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, located in the Orion Nebula, a well-known region for star formation. The stars, named HOPS 150 and HOPS 153, are situated approximately 1,300 light-years from Earth. The Orion Nebula is considered the closest massive star-forming region to Earth and contains hundreds of newly forming stars. The image provides insight into the ongoing process of star birth, showing the stars in their early stages as they gather material from their surrounding environment.

Protostars Observed in Orion Nebula

As reported by space.com, according to the European Space Agency’s (ESA) statement, the stars were identified through the Herschel Orion Protostar Survey conducted using the Herschel Space Observatory. HOPS 150, which consists of two stars, a forming a binary system, is seen glowing in bright golden red in the image’s upper-right corner. The binary stars are surrounded by a large cloud of gas and dust, which continues to provide material for their growth. The protostars are said to be midway in their developmental process, based on the light they emit in different wavelengths.

Stellar Jet Emission from HOPS 153

The statement also noted that HOPS 153, located on the left side of the image, exhibits a narrow jet of colorful gas extending outward. This jet is a byproduct of the star’s evolution, as it ejects material while feeding from its surrounding disk. The colorful jet, composed of high-speed matter, interacts with the surrounding gas and dust in the nebula, influencing the formation of new stars in the region.

Future Evolution of the Young Stars

ESA officials have stated that HOPS 153 is still deeply embedded in its birth cloud of cold, dense gas. While the protostar itself is not visible, the jet it emits can be clearly observed. As the star continues to develop, further material ejection is expected, which may impact the surrounding nebula and the formation of neighboring stars.

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New Lithium-Sulfur Battery Retains 80 Percent Capacity After 25,000 Cycles

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January 22, 2025

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New Lithium-Sulfur Battery Retains 80 Percent Capacity After 25,000 Cycles

Engineers and materials scientists have achieved a major advancement in battery technology, developing a lithium-sulfur battery that retains 80 percent of its charge capacity after 25,000 charging cycles. The new design, which uses a specially formulated electrode, represents a significant improvement over conventional lithium-ion batteries. The breakthrough could pave the way for smaller, lighter, and longer-lasting energy storage solutions, addressing critical demands in electronics and electric vehicles.

Key Innovations in the Study

According to a study published in Nature, sulfur was utilised as a core component for the battery’s solid electrode. Despite being abundant and cost-effective, sulfur has historically posed challenges due to issues such as ion loss and expansion during reactions with lithium. These problems were tackled by incorporating a glass-like mixture composed of sulfur, boron, lithium, phosphorus, and iodine. The iodine element was found to enhance electron movement during redox reactions, allowing for faster charging and improved performance.

As reported by Techxplore, the research demonstrated that the porous atomic structure of the electrode facilitated ion diffusion, eliminating the need for intermediary movements. This structural stability, combined with the chemical properties of the glass-phase electrolyte, contributed to the battery’s durability across an unprecedented number of cycles.

Performance and Potential Applications

The experimental lithium-sulfur battery maintained its capacity even under high temperatures, a notable advantage in demanding environments. Standard lithium-ion batteries typically degrade after approximately 1,000 cycles, making this new battery’s longevity a striking development. Despite its promise, the study’s authors acknowledged the need for further research to improve energy density and explore alternative materials that could reduce the battery’s overall weight.

Efforts are being directed at refining this technology to support the growing demand for energy storage in applications ranging from consumer electronics to renewable energy systems.

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Heavy Dark Matter Could Break the Standard Model, New Research Shows

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