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New images from the now-decommissioned Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) provide the most precise glimpse yet of the universe just 380,000 years after the Big Bang. These images of the cosmic microwave background (CMB), captured before ACT ceased operations in 2022, reveal how the first structures that would later form stars and galaxies began taking shape.

Breakthrough in Understanding Early Cosmic Structures

According to reports, the images depict the intensity and polarisation of the earliest light with unprecedented clarity, validating the standard model of cosmology. Researchers found that these findings align with previous observations, reinforcing current theories on the universe’s evolution. The data also reveal the movement of ancient gases under gravitational influence, tracing the formation of primordial hydrogen and helium clouds that later collapsed to birth the first stars.

ACT director and Princeton University researcher Suzanne Staggs said in a statement that they are seeing the first steps towards making the earliest stars and galaxies. They are seeing the polarisation of light in high resolution. It is a determining factor distinguishing ACT from Planck and other earlier telescopes, she added.

Imaging the Universe’s First Light

As per reports, before 380,000 years post-Big Bang, the universe was opaque due to a hot plasma of unbound electrons scattering photons. Once the universe cooled to approximately 3,000 Kelvin, electrons bound with protons to form neutral atoms, allowing light to travel freely. This event, known as the ‘last scattering,’ made the universe transparent, leaving behind the CMB—a fossil record of the first light.

ACT, positioned in the Chilean Andes, captured this ancient light, which has been traveling for over 13 billion years. Previous studies from the Planck space telescope provided a detailed image of the CMB, but ACT’s data offers five times the resolution and improved sensitivity.

Insights into Cosmic Evolution and Expansion

The high-resolution images also track how primordial hydrogen and helium gases moved in the universe’s infancy. According to reports, variations in the density and velocity of these gases indicate the presence of regions that eventually formed galaxies. These fluctuations, frozen in the CMB, serve as markers of the universe’s expansion history.

Using ACT data, researchers also estimated the universe’s total mass, which is equivalent to around 2 trillion trillion suns. Sources report that approximately 100 zetta-suns of this mass consist of ordinary matter, while 500 zetta-suns correspond to dark matter, and 1,300 zetta-suns are attributed to dark energy.

Addressing the Hubble Tension

One of the biggest challenges in cosmology is the discrepancy in measuring the universe’s expansion rate, known as the Hubble tension. Measurements from nearby galaxies suggest a Hubble constant of around 73-74 km/s/Mpc, while CMB observations, including those from ACT, yield a lower value of 67-68 km/s/Mpc.

Columbia University researcher Colin Hill, who studied the ACT data, told that they wanted to see if they could find a cosmological model that matched the data and also predicted a faster expansion rate. He further added that they have used the CMB as a detector for new particles or fields in the early universe, exploring previously uncharted terrain.
However, reports confirm that ACT findings align with prior CMB-based measurements, offering no evidence for alternative cosmic models that could explain the discrepancy.

Looking Ahead

ACT concluded its observations in 2022, and astronomers have now shifted focus to the Simons Observatory in Chile, which promises even more advanced studies of the universe’s early light. The new ACT data has been made publicly available through NASA’s LAMBDA archive, with related research published on Princeton’s Atacama Cosmology Telescope website.

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Study Finds grey Seals Can Track Blood Oxygen to Prevent Drowning

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March 27, 2025

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Study Finds grey Seals Can Track Blood Oxygen to Prevent Drowning

Marine mammals rely on oxygen to survive, yet some species stay underwater for long periods without breathing. Scientists at the University of St Andrews wanted to understand how gray seals manage their time underwater without relying on carbon dioxide buildup as a signal. Six adult gray seals were placed in a controlled environment to observe their diving patterns. The seals were only allowed to surface at a designated chamber, where researchers adjusted oxygen and carbon dioxide levels to test their responses.

Research Confirms Oxygen as the Primary Trigger

According to the study published in Science, different air compositions were tested to measure their effect on dive times. The air in the breathing chamber was adjusted across four conditions: normal air, increased oxygen, reduced oxygen, and heightened carbon dioxide levels. When oxygen levels were increased, seals stayed underwater for longer. When oxygen was reduced, they surfaced sooner. Carbon dioxide changes did not alter their behavior, suggesting that oxygen, not carbon dioxide, determines when they come up for air.

Unique Adaptation in Marine Mammals

Researchers says that grey seals have an internal system to track oxygen levels. This allows them to surface before reaching dangerous limits. This ability prevents drowning and may be common among other marine species. Since deep-diving mammals must manage oxygen carefully, similar mechanisms could be present in whales, dolphins and other seals.

Experts Weigh in on the Discovery

Lucy Hawkes from the University of Exeter and Jessica Kendall-Bar from the University of California, San Diego, discussed the study’s impact. They noted that understanding this adaptation sheds light on how marine mammals survive in extreme underwater conditions. Further research could explore how this system works in different species and environments.

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Japan’s Universal Memory Breakthrough Reduces Energy, Boosts Speed

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March 27, 2025

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Japan’s Universal Memory Breakthrough Reduces Energy, Boosts Speed

A team of scientists in Japan has developed a new type of “universal memory” technology that could significantly reduce energy consumption while increasing processing speeds in future computing devices. The breakthrough, which centres on an improved form of Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM), addresses a critical challenge in current memory technologies by combining the speed of RAM with the ability to retain information without constant power supply.

Overcoming Previous MRAM Limitations

According to the study published in the journal Advanced Science on December 25, 2024, the newly developed MRAM technology overcomes the high energy requirements that have traditionally limited MRAM implementation. While conventional MRAM devices consume minimal power in standby mode, they require substantial electric current to switch magnetisation directions that represent binary values, making them impractical for widespread use.

Innovative Component Design

The research team created what has been described as a “multiferroic heterostructure” that consists of ferromagnetic and piezoelectric materials separated by an ultrathin layer of vanadium. This configuration allows magnetisation to be controlled by an electric field rather than current, significantly reducing power consumption.

Vanadium Layer Provides Stability

Previous MRAM prototypes struggled with structural fluctuations in the ferromagnetic layer. This made it difficult to maintain stable magnetisation directions. The addition of the vanadium layer acts as a buffer between the materials. This in turn helps in enabling the device to maintain its shape and form while preserving the magnetic state even after the electric charge is removed.

Future Impact and Considerations

As per the researchers, their prototype demonstrated the ability to switch magnetisation direction using minimal electric current. However, the study did not address potential degradation in switching efficiency over time. This is a common issue in electrical devices.

This technology could potentially enable more powerful commercial computing with longer device lifespans, as it requires significantly less power than previous solutions and offers greater resilience than current RAM technologies without requiring moving parts.

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China’s ‘Kill Mesh’ Threatens US Satellites, Space Force Warns



Oppo Find X8s, Find X8+ Specifications Leaked; Said to Arrive With Dimensity 9400+ Chip

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China’s ‘Kill Mesh’ Threatens US Satellites, Space Force Warns

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March 27, 2025

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China’s ‘Kill Mesh’ Threatens US Satellites, Space Force Warns

China’s advancements in space warfare have led to the development of a “Kill Mesh” system. It has raised concerns about the security of US satellites. During the 16th annual McAleese “Defense Programs” Conference in Arlington, Virginia, General Michael Guetlein, Vice Chief of Space Operations for the US Space Force, highlighted the urgency of addressing these threats. He stressed that the gap in space capabilities between the US and its adversaries has narrowed significantly, making it necessary to reassess space defense strategies. A shift is required from providing space services to a focus on active protection against hostile actions in orbit.

China and Russia Intensify Orbital Military Activities

According to reports, China and Russia have been strengthening their space warfare capabilities. Russia’s anti-satellite (ASAT) test in 2022 resulted in a debris field in low-Earth orbit. In that very same year, a Chinese satellite was observed maneuvering another defunct satellite into a graveyard orbit, demonstrating advancements in orbital control technology. Guetlein said that adversaries have moved beyond passive space operations and are now engaged in satellite grappling, electronic warfare, and close-proximity tracking of US spacecraft.

Rising Threats to US Space Assets

As per reports, satellites capable of “jamming, spoofing, and dazzling” have become more common, marking a shift in space conflict strategies. Guetlein described recent events where foreign satellites have shadowed US spacecraft, creating a “cat and mouse” scenario. The previous unwritten rule of non-interference in space operations is no longer being followed, with adversaries increasingly engaging in hostile activities.

Strategic Response and Future Measures

The Space Force is reinforcing its infrastructure and increasing redundancies to counter growing threats. Guetlein acknowledged that commercial and allied partnerships are crucial in maintaining an advantage, as private space technology has surpassed some government capabilities. A new initiative called Golden Dome has been introduced to integrate defense technologies that previously operated separately. Guetlein stated that collaboration across sectors would strengthen space security and deter potential adversaries.

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