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The Hubble Space Telescope has captured an extraordinary view of the Orion Nebula, the closest star-forming region to Earth, located approximately 1,500 light-years away. This new image highlights protostars HOPS 150 and HOPS 153, which are playing a significant role in reshaping their surrounding environment. The nebula, visible to the naked eye near the constellation Orion’s belt, is illuminated by the activities of these young stars, offering scientists a glimpse into the earliest stages of star formation.

Protostars and Their Evolution

According to the Herschel Orion Protostar Survey, conducted using ESA’s Herschel Space Observatory, HOPS 150 is a binary star system comprising two young stars encircled by dusty disks. These protostars are still accumulating material from their surroundings, with a massive cloud of gas and dust extending over 2,000 times the distance between Earth and the Sun feeding their growth. As reported by NASA, observations of the emitted infrared light suggest that HOPS 150 is midway through its evolution into a mature star system.

Jets from HOPS 153 Transforming the Nebula

The narrow jet seen in the image originates from HOPS 153, another protostar situated nearby but still embedded in dense gas. Though HOPS 153 remains obscured by its birth nebula, the jet’s impact on the surrounding material is clearly visible. This jet carves out regions in the interstellar medium, releasing energy and creating disturbances that may influence the formation of nearby stars. The interactions between the gas inflows and outflows are crucial for understanding how young stars shape their environments.

The findings, supported by data from NASA and ESA, provide insights into how protostars transition into fully developed stars, altering their surroundings and impacting the interstellar medium. These processes hold vital clues about the dynamics of star formation in our galaxy.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a press release)

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New Soil Carbon Measurement Method Could Boost Trust in Carbon Credit Markets

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January 20, 2025

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New Soil Carbon Measurement Method Could Boost Trust in Carbon Credit Markets

Direct soil carbon measurement techniques are being explored as a method to improve accuracy in carbon credit markets, especially in agriculture. Measuring stored soil carbon rather than relying on predictive models can provide solid data on the effectiveness of climate-smart agricultural practices. It is believed that this method will enhance the reliability of carbon credits, offering greater confidence to buyers and better supporting global climate goals. Soil carbon measurement is also being recognised as a tool to boost soil health and agricultural sustainability.

Reliable Verification of Soil Carbon Changes

According to a study published in Environmental Research Letters, using direct soil carbon measurement methods alongside epidemiology-based study designs could address the challenges of verifying carbon storage. By sampling approximately 10 percent of fields across large areas, the research team demonstrated that carbon storage could be accurately measured over extended periods. These findings indicate that scaling up direct measurement techniques may offer a cost-effective alternative to predictive models in carbon credit markets.

Expert Insights on Soil Health and Climate Benefits

Mark Bradford, E.H. Harriman Professor of Soils and Ecosystem Ecology at Yale School of the Environment, noted in the study’s findings that direct measurements could extend beyond carbon markets. When talking to phys.org, he highlighted their potential for validating greenhouse gas accounting and supporting national emission reporting. This approach could also improve soil biodiversity, nutrient retention and resilience to extreme weather, leading to enhanced food security.

Technological Tools Supporting Farmers

To assist farmers, Eric Potash, research scientist at the Agroecosystem Sustainability Center, developed an open-source application enabling users to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of soil carbon projects. This tool helps calculate profitability based on variables like project size and sampling strategies.

As noted by the study’s authors, addressing measurement concerns is key to supporting policies and investments that protect soil health. By ensuring accurate and scalable carbon storage verification, this approach aims to strengthen confidence in the environmental and economic benefits of climate-smart agriculture.

(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)

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Early Human Ancestors Had Plant-Based Diets, Research Suggests

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January 20, 2025

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Early Human Ancestors Had Plant-Based Diets, Research Suggests

A significant revelation about the dietary habits of early human ancestors suggests a strong reliance on plant-based foods rather than meat consumption. Evidence from fossilised teeth of Australopithecus africanus has provided a clearer picture of their dietary preferences. These findings, based on the chemical composition of tooth enamel, indicate that this early bipedal species, existing over 3 million years ago, may have subsisted largely on vegetation and possibly other non-meat sources of energy.

Study Analyses Fossilised Teeth for Clues

According to a study published in Science, researchers analysed nitrogen-bearing organic material within the enamel of fossilised teeth from Australopithecus africanus. A total of 43 specimens from the Sterkfontein caves in South Africa, including seven individuals of the species, were examined. The nitrogen isotopic ratios present in the samples were compared to those of other extinct mammals from the same site and to modern African mammals. These comparisons revealed that the early humans’ diet was variable but lacked a significant proportion of mammalian meat.

Implications for Early Human Evolution

As explained by Dr Tina Lüdecke, geochemist at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, to Science News, the findings provide insights into the dietary behaviours of early ancestors. The absence of a meat-rich diet suggests that adaptations such as bipedalism, shorter snouts, and the ability to thrive in savanna ecosystems likely preceded the consumption of high-protein meat. These traits are believed to have played a role in early human survival and ecological success.

Possible Protein Sources Beyond Meat

Dr Lüdecke further noted that occasional consumption of meat or energy-rich termites by A. africanus cannot be ruled out. Termites, being a reliable food source, might have contributed to their diet without influencing the nitrogen isotopic markers significantly. Observations of modern apes fishing for termites reinforce this possibility.

This research lays the groundwork for future investigations into dietary transitions among later human species, potentially shedding more light on the role of diet in human evolution.

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Giant Horned Dinosaur Fossils Rediscovered in Egypt, WWII Lost Treasures



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Lost and Found: Giant Horned Dinosaur Fossils Rediscovered in Egypt!

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January 20, 2025

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Lost and Found: Giant Horned Dinosaur Fossils Rediscovered in Egypt!

Fossil evidence of a massive horned dinosaur has been rediscovered through previously unseen photographs of remains destroyed during World War II. The dinosaur, named Tameryraptor markgrafi, lived approximately 95 million years ago in what is now Egypt. Spanning an estimated length of 33 feet, the species is considered one of the largest known terrestrial predators. The fossils were initially unearthed in 1914 in Egypt’s Bahariya Oasis and housed in Germany before being lost in a wartime bombing.

Revelation Through Archived Images

According to the study published in PLOS One, the fossils had been mistakenly classified as belonging to the Carcharodontosaurus group. Newly discovered photographs, stored in the Huene Archive at the University of Tübingen, revealed features such as a prominent horn and an enlarged braincase, differentiating the specimen from others in the group. Maximilian Kellermann, a doctoral student at the Bavarian State Collection for Paleontology and Geology, noted the significant distinctions upon reviewing the photographs. Speaking to Live Science, he expressed initial confusion, followed by excitement as the differences became apparent.

Historical Context and Classification Changes

The fossils were originally categorised by German paleontologist Ernst Stromer, who associated them with specimens from Algeria. Over time, additional Carcharodontosaurus fossils were discovered, with a skull from Morocco becoming the representative specimen for the group. However, comparisons of Stromer’s documentation and illustrations with the archived photographs revealed substantial variances, prompting the classification of a new genus and species.

Implications for Dinosaur Diversity

Researchers believe this finding highlights a richer diversity of dinosaur life in North Africa than previously understood. Kellermann suggested further exploration of Stromer’s archives could provide new insights into other species from the region, such as Deltadromeus and Spinosaurus, which may also require reclassification. These findings underscore the importance of revisiting historical data to refine knowledge of prehistoric ecosystems.

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