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A major scientific breakthrough is anticipated with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, currently under construction on Cerro Pachón in Chile, as it prepares to embark on its decade-long Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). Scheduled to commence this year, this endeavour is expected to detect millions of Type Ia supernovae, commonly referred to as “vampire stars” due to their ability to siphon material from nearby stellar companions. The data collected is likely to offer unprecedented insights into dark energy, the enigmatic force responsible for the universe’s accelerating expansion.

Significance of Type Ia Supernovae in Measuring Cosmic Distances

According to a report by space.com, Type Ia supernovae, resulting from the explosive end of white dwarf stars, have proven invaluable in cosmic measurements. Their light output is consistent, making them effective “standard candles” for determining distances across the universe. By analysing the brightness and colour of these supernovae, combined with data from their host galaxies, astronomers can map the extent of the universe’s expansion over time. Anais Möller, a researcher with the Rubin/LSST Dark Energy Science Collaboration, noted that the observatory would generate a diverse sample of Type Ia supernovae from different distances and galaxy types, enabling a broader understanding of their behaviour.

Mechanisms Behind Type Ia Supernovae

As per scientific findings, white dwarf stars form when sun-like stars exhaust their nuclear fuel, leaving behind dense, collapsed cores. These stellar remnants can reach critical mass by accumulating material from a companion star in binary systems. Upon surpassing the Chandrasekhar limit of approximately 1.4 solar masses, the white dwarfs erupt in Type Ia supernovae, often obliterating themselves entirely. Such explosions, while abundant, occur unpredictably, presenting a challenge for long-term observation.

Advancing Dark Energy Research

The observatory is expected to revolutionise dark energy studies by producing extensive data, allowing researchers to refine models of cosmic expansion. Since dark energy’s discovery in 1998, its exact nature has remained elusive, with theories suggesting it constitutes around 68% of the universe’s energy and matter. By observing the universe’s expansion at different cosmic epochs, Rubin’s data is anticipated to clarify whether dark energy’s influence has remained constant or evolved over time.

Preparing for a Data Avalanche

With nightly scans of the southern hemisphere, the observatory is projected to generate up to 20 terabytes of data daily, issuing millions of alerts to astronomers worldwide. Software systems are being developed to handle this data influx, identifying transient events like supernovae and kilonovas. Researchers, including Anais Möller, have emphasised the project’s transformative potential, calling it a generational leap in astronomical science.

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First Mouse with Two Fathers Thrives into Adulthood

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January 30, 2025

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First Mouse with Two Fathers Thrives into Adulthood

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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Scientists Discover Hidden Clues to the Dark Universe in 3D Galaxy Maps

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January 30, 2025

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Scientists Discover Hidden Clues to the Dark Universe in 3D Galaxy Maps

New insights into the “dark universe,” which includes both dark matter and dark energy, have emerged from a new method of studying 3D maps of galaxies. Scientists have used sophisticated computer algorithms to analyse the relative positions of galaxies in a 3D framework, unveiling previously hidden information that could challenge or support the standard model of cosmology. This method, unlike older techniques, preserves the three-dimensional integrity of the data, offering a deeper understanding of the universe’s structure.

New Approach to Galactic Mapping

According to the study led by astronomer Minh Nguyen of the University of Tokyo, the latest approach utilises advanced field-level inference (FLI) techniques combined with algorithms to model galaxy growth and dark matter halos. This technique builds upon the traditional method of galaxy surveys, which in the past relied on two-dimensional measurements. By adding a third dimension through redshift data, scientists have been able to map galaxies more accurately and analyse their distribution in space.

In traditional methods, data is often compressed into “n-point correlation functions,” which, while efficient, have been shown to obscure key details. The FLI technique, which works directly with 3D data, allows for a more nuanced and detailed analysis of galaxy positioning. As Nguyen told space.com, this new method reveals hidden information about the distribution and behaviour of galaxies and their surrounding dark matter, shedding light on potential inconsistencies in current cosmological theories.

Unlocking Dark Matter Mysteries

The breakthrough could lead to new discoveries about the evolution of galaxies and their interactions with dark matter. Initial tests have shown a significant improvement in accuracy when compared to traditional methods, with researchers noting a three to five times greater level of detail. The next phase of testing will involve real data from upcoming space missions and observatories, including the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument and the Vera C. Rubin Observatory.

This technique could ultimately provide insights into the nature of dark matter and its role in the universe’s formation, potentially unlocking answers to some of the most pressing questions in modern astrophysics.

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Mysterious Interstellar Object Might Have Shifted Four Planets’ Paths, Study Finds

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January 30, 2025

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Mysterious Interstellar Object Might Have Shifted Four Planets’ Paths, Study Finds

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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