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An experiment conducted by researchers at the University of British Columbia has revealed the limited potential of mealworms in addressing plastic pollution. The study, published in Biology Letters on December 4, estimated that 100 mealworms would take approximately 138 days, or 4.5 months, to consume a single disposable face mask made from polypropylene. The findings underscore the challenges of relying on insect larvae for large-scale plastic degradation as per various reports.

Plastic Pollution and Microplastics: A Growing Concern

The research focused on microplastics, which are plastic fragments smaller than 5 millimetres and linked to severe health issues such as increased risks of heart attacks and strokes, as suggested by prior studies. Earlier experiments had demonstrated the ability of several insect species, including yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) and superworms (Zophobas atratus), to degrade various types of plastics. However, most of those studies utilised powdered or pure forms of plastic, rather than the manufactured items people use daily, as reported by researchers.

Real-World Testing and Observations

Led by ecologist Dr Michelle Tseng, the team opted for a more realistic approach by using disposable face masks containing additional materials from manufacturing processes. To encourage consumption, the plastic was processed into microbits and blended with wheat bran. According to Dr Tseng in a statement, the insects readily consumed this mixture, termed “face-mask granola.”

No significant reduction in the insects’ lifespan was observed. However, questions regarding the safety of using these larvae as feedstock in agriculture, particularly for poultry, were raised. Dr Tseng noted that mealworms consuming large amounts of microplastics may not remain safe for further use in food chains, as reported.

Challenges and Future Directions

The feasibility of using mealworms for large-scale plastic degradation remains doubtful due to the slow consumption rate. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Asia alone reportedly used 2 billion face masks per day, highlighting the impracticality of such a solution. Researchers have suggested that exploring the microbial composition of these insects could lead to advancements in waste breakdown technologies. Nonetheless, reducing plastic usage is emphasised as the most effective approach to managing this environmental crisis.

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New Black Hole Theory Challenges Singularity, Reshaping Physics

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March 31, 2025

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New Black Hole Theory Challenges Singularity, Reshaping Physics

A new model has been proposed that challenges the long-standing belief that black holes contain a singularity, a region where space and time break down. This theory suggests that black holes could exist without this problematic feature, reshaping our understanding. If accurate, this research could bridge the gap between general relativity and quantum mechanics, two fundamental yet conflicting theories of physics. The findings offer a fresh perspective on one of the most mysterious objects in the universe, potentially altering how black holes are studied.

The Issue with Singularities

According to a study published in Physics Letters B in February 2025, researchers modified Einstein’s field equations to prevent the formation of a singularity at the centre of a black hole. According to Einstein’s general theory of relativity, black holes form when massive stars collapse under their own gravity. It creates regions of space with extreme curvature. This leads to the formation of a singularity, where all known laws of physics break down.

Robie Hennigar, a researcher at Durham University in England, told Space.com that the singularity is the most mysterious and problematic part of a black hole. He said that it is where our concepts of space and time literally no longer make sense.

Revising Einstein’s Equations

In general relativity, gravity is described by Einstein’s field equations, which successfully predict the motion of planets, the expansion of the universe, and the formation of black holes. However, these equations also predict singularities, which many physicists view as a sign that general relativity is incomplete.

Pablo Antonio Cano Molina-Niñirola, a physicist at the Institute of Cosmos Sciences of the University of Barcelona, explained to Space.com that their approach modifies Einstein’s field equations to account for extreme gravitational conditions. Instead of relying on a complete theory of quantum gravity, the team uses an “effective theory” to approximate the missing physics.

Molina-Niñirola stated that this is a classical theory of gravity that is supposed to capture the effects of an assumed theory of quantum gravity. The model suggests that when space-time reaches extreme curvature, gravity behaves differently, preventing the formation of a singularity.

What Lies at the Core of a Black Hole?

With singularities removed from the equation, the next question is: what actually exists at a black hole’s center? According to Hennigar, the answer is a stable, highly curved region of space-time. Molina-Niñirola explained that in their model, the space-time collapse stops, and the singularity is replaced by a highly warped static region that lies at the core of the black hole.

Potential Implications for Cosmology

The findings may have significant implications for theoretical physics, particularly in the search for a unified theory of gravity. If black holes do not have singularities, they could serve as a bridge between general relativity and quantum mechanics.

One possibility explored by the study is that matter falling into a black hole could eventually exit through a white hole, potentially in another universe or a different part of our own.

The absence of singularities might leave an imprint on the early universe, detectable through gravitational wave observations. Molina-Niñirola noted that if dark matter turned out to be composed of tiny black holes, this would be an indirect proof in favour of the absence of singularities.

Looking Ahead

Molina-Niñirola concluded that ongoing and future observations of black hole mergers and cosmic background radiation may eventually provide evidence to support or refute the theory. For now, the concept of black holes without singularities remains an exciting development in the quest to understand the universe’s most enigmatic objects.

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AMoRE Experiment Sets New Benchmark in Neutrinoless

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March 29, 2025

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AMoRE Experiment Sets New Benchmark in Neutrinoless

The latest phase of the AMoRE (Advanced Mo-based Rare Process Experiment) project has yielded significant findings in the search for neutrinoless double beta decay, a process that could redefine understanding of fundamental particle physics. Conducted at the Yangyang Underground Laboratory in Korea, the study involved the use of molybdate scintillating crystals at extremely low temperatures to detect this elusive nuclear event. While no clear evidence was observed, the research has set a new upper limit on the decay halflife of molybdenum-100, refining the parameters for future experiments in the field.

New Constraints Established

According to the study published in Physical Review Letters, the AMoRE collaboration utilised multiple kilograms of molybdenum-100, a radioactive isotope, in the form of scintillating crystals. The experiment aimed to detect whether two neutrons in a nucleus could decay into two protons without emitting neutrinos, a phenomenon that would confirm the neutrino and antineutrino as identical particles. Detection of this process is considered crucial for exploring matter-antimatter asymmetry in the universe.

In an interview with Phys.org, Yoomin Oh, corresponding author of the study, explained that the neutrino is one of the elementary particles in the Standard Model. It was ‘invented’ by Wolfgang Pauli about a hundred years ago and discovered a couple of decades later than that. He added that while neutrinos are among the most abundant particles, their properties, including mass, remain largely unknown.

Next Phase: AMoRE-II at Yemilab

AMoRE-I achieved the highest sensitivity ever recorded for detecting neutrinoless double beta decay in molybdenum-100, but no definitive signal was found. This outcome has refined the experimental approach, with the next phase, AMoRE-II, currently being developed at Yemilab, a newly constructed underground research facility in Korea.

The upcoming phase will involve a significantly larger quantity of molybdenum-based crystal detectors and an upgraded low-temperature detection system. The AMoRE collaboration aims to achieve an even lower background environment, enhancing the sensitivity of the experiment. Data collection for AMoRE-II is expected to begin within the next year, with researchers hoping to uncover new insights into the nature of neutrinos.

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Did black hole radiation shape the universe?

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2 days ago

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March 29, 2025

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Did black hole radiation shape the universe?

A theoretical form of radiation first proposed by Stephen Hawking may have played a role in shaping the universe after the Big Bang, as suggested by recent research. The phenomenon is known as Hawking radiation. It was introduced in the 1970s when Hawking theorised that black holes could emit radiation despite their widely accepted nature as objects that absorb all matter. The study suggests that primordial black holes which are believed to have existed in the early universe, may have released intense radiation. This emission could have influenced cosmic structures in ways previously unaccounted for.

Findings from the Study

According to the study published in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, a phase may have occurred in the early universe where primordial black holes dominated the energy density before evaporating through Hawking radiation. The researchers state that ultra-light primordial black holes could have rapidly gained prominence during expansion, leaving behind observable effects. The research suggests that the impact of these black holes was powerful enough to influence the formation of galaxies and cosmic structures.

Examining the Role of Hawking Radiation

The study builds on Hawking’s work. He merged aspects of quantum mechanics and general relativity. Black holes were once thought to trap everything indefinitely. The Hawking’s theory introduced the possibility of radiation emission. It is reported that larger black holes radiate at an extremely low rate, making detection with existing technology impossible. The focus shifts to smaller primordial black holes, estimated to be less than 100 tons in mass, as their radiation levels could have shaped the universe’s early structure.

Potential Implications of the Research

The study explores the possibility of Hawking relics which are stable particles resulting from the evaporation of black holes. If these particles are detected, it could provide insights into the cosmic radiation budget and the formation of atomic nuclei. The research suggests that primordial black holes must have evaporated before certain cosmic events to align with existing atomic models. While Hawking relics have not been directly observed, future technological advancements may allow for their detection. The findings open avenues for understanding black hole physics and the universe’s evolution.

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