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Apples-to-apples comparisons in the distant universe are hard to come by. Whether the subject is dwarf galaxies, supermassive black holes, or 'hot Jupiters,' astronomers can spend months or years searching for comparable objects and formations to study. And it is rarer still when those objects are side-by-side. But a new study offers a road map for finding 'twin' planetary systems -- showing whether binary stars that orbit each other, and that were born at the same time and place, tend to host similar orbiting planets. The study's authors found that certain orientations of twin star systems may provide critical information about planet formation, while also being easier for astronomers to discover planets within the systems.

Using a new fluorescent mouse model with advanced imaging techniques, researchers have successfully visualized how musculoskeletal components are integrated into the functional locomotor system during embryonic development.

A new study achieves unprecedented accuracy in modelling extreme cosmic events like black hole and neutron star collisions by calculating the fifth post-Minkowskian (5PM) order, crucial for interpreting gravitational wave data from current and future observatories. The research reveals the surprising appearance of Calabi-Yau three-fold periods -- complex geometric structures from string theory and algebraic geometry -- within calculations of radiated energy and recoil, suggesting a deep connection between abstract mathematics and astrophysical phenomena. Utilizing over 300,000 core hours of high-performance computing, an international team demonstrated the power of advanced computational methods in solving complex equations governing black hole interactions, paving the way for more accurate gravitational wave templates and insights into galaxy formation.

A new study achieves unprecedented accuracy in modelling extreme cosmic events like black hole and neutron star collisions by calculating the fifth post-Minkowskian (5PM) order, crucial for interpreting gravitational wave data from current and future observatories. The research reveals the surprising appearance of Calabi-Yau three-fold periods -- complex geometric structures from string theory and algebraic geometry -- within calculations of radiated energy and recoil, suggesting a deep connection between abstract mathematics and astrophysical phenomena. Utilizing over 300,000 core hours of high-performance computing, an international team demonstrated the power of advanced computational methods in solving complex equations governing black hole interactions, paving the way for more accurate gravitational wave templates and insights into galaxy formation.

Scientists have successfully relocated protons outside of an antimatter laboratory with the help of an autonomous, open Penning trap. This breakthrough marks a significant step toward transporting antiprotons produced at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) to high-precision laboratories, which operate independently of the research facility. Extremely precise measurements to compare matter and antimatter are only possible far from accelerator facilities.

Researchers have developed an encapsulated cobalt-nickel alloy that significantly improves the efficiency and durability of high-temperature CO2 conversion, a promising technology for carbon recycling and sustainable fuel production.

Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) is becoming increasingly common in space exploration applications. It has primarily been used in deployable structures, such as antenna booms or solar sail deployment. However, it also has a use case nearer the ground of whatever planet, moon, or asteroid it finds itself near. A new paper by Shufeng Tang and their colleagues at the Inner Mongolia University of Technology uses SMA to solve a problem in an area near and dear to space explorers' hearts—small space flexible robotics.

After record temperatures in 2024, climate scientists had expected this year to be cooler, but instead the planet seems to be heading for a second year above the 1.5°C climate goal

In the new Jesus and Mo post, “draw,” Mo draws a self-portrait. Apparently, though pictures of Mohammed are prohibited by nearly all Muslim sects, that prohibition doesn’t hold for Mo himself.  He seems to have a bit of a gut, doubtlessly from drinking too many pints with Jesus at the local bar.  There’s also this note:

Deadline for entry in to the annual Draw Mohammed Day Contest is May 16. Find out more here https://exmuslims.org/

But I can’t find where one enters on that site. However, I did find instructions on their Facebook page, and here they are:

 Deadline is close: Draw Muhammad Day Contest closes May 16! 

 Got blasphemy skills? Put them to paper (or pixels) for a shot at:
 $1st & 2nd place cash prizes
 EXMNA merch for runner-ups
 Bonus points for humor and satire
 AI entries welcome—just label them!

Email your entry to info@exmuslims.org with “Draw Muhammad Day Contest” in the subject line. Don’t forget to follow IG/FB [Instagram/Facebook] guidelines.

Heresy has never paid better.

Here is a sample entry from EXMNA:

Finally, the Jesus and Mo cartoon:

Today’s photos from the Pacific Northwest come from reader Jim Blilie. Jim’s captions and IDs are indented, and you can enlarge his photos by clicking on them.

Spring has sprung in the Pacific Northwest after a long, cool tapering off of winter.  We have finally hit the 70°s our area (20+°C), in May.  This is a set of spring flowers (mostly).  We live in Klickitat County, Washington, at the extreme southern edge of Washington state, just east of the Cascade mountain range.  These photos, except the last two, are taken in Klickitat County.

First, two photos from a hike we take on local ranch land (the landowners are kind enough to allow public access to their land, except during calving season).  These are Grass Widows (Olsynium douglasii).

Next are two photos of some ornamental flowers that were originally planted but now run wild in our yard in the early spring.  Empress Lilies (Fritillaria imperialis), which smell almost exactly like skunk cabbage, which is probably why the deer don’t eat them.

Next are two photos from our local daily exercise walk, down the gravel road we live on.  Again, from early Spring:  Calypso Orchids (Calypso bulbosa) and Trillium (probably:  Trillium ovatum)

Next are three photos of Balsam Root (probably:  Balsamorhiza sagittata) and Lupine (probably:  Lupinus latifolius) flowers on a local hillside that we like to hike especially during the Spring and winter (it’s much too hot in the summer as it faces south). In the third photo, you can see Mount Hood (highest peak in Oregon) and Mount Jefferson (second highest in Oregon) at the top.

Next are three photos that show the prize view for hiking up this local hillside (aside from the beautiful flowers in the Spring):  On this day (5-May-2025), it was as clear as we’ve ever seen on this hike.  To get the view to the north (Mount Adams, Mount Rainier, Goat Rocks), you have to ascend 1200 feet (366m) to the top of the ridge.

Mount Adams near and large and Mount Rainier over the northern shoulder of Mount Adams.

Mount Jefferson, second highest in Oregon:

Three Sisters in central Oregon:

These are shot at the 35mm equivalent of only 200mm, so you can see how clear the day was.  We could see almost every Cascade volcano from South Sister to Mount Rainier (some were hidden from our viewpoint), a span of about 190 miles (306 km).

Finally are two photos taken yesterday (7-May) in neighboring Skamania County on a hike.  Pacific Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii), which is in full bloom in our woods now.  And finally, Oregon Anemone (Anemonoides oregana):

An analysis of compounds in chilli peppers has revealed chemicals that seem to negate their heat-giving capsaicinoids. This explains why the Scoville scale for measuring spicyness isn't always accurate, and could eventually lead to the development of an "anti-spice" condiment

Have you heard of brainspotting? It’s been around since 2003 when it was invented out of whole cloth (not “discovered”) by psychotherapist David Grand. It seems to be gaining in popularity recently, so it is worth the SBM treatment. Here is how proponents describe the alleged phenomenon: “Brainspotting makes use of this natural phenomenon through its use of relevant eye positions. This […]

The post Brainspotting is Classic Pseudoscience first appeared on Science-Based Medicine.

Not knowing how much milk a baby consumes when breastfeeding can cause anxiety for parents, but an innovative device seems to provide objective measurements

Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, looks more Earth-like on its surface than any other place in the Solar System. With its thick atmosphere and liquid methane rain, it has lakes, rivers, sand dunes and seas. But appearances can be deceiving and in other ways, Titan is in fact a very alien world. One baffling difference, recently discovered, is that Titan's rivers do not seem to form deltas when they reach the sea.

What steps can be taken to enhance in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) for future astronauts on Mars? This is what a recent study presented at the 56th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference hopes to address as an international team of researchers investigated the reasons, benefits, and challenges of conducting ISRU on Mars. This study has the potential to help astronauts, scientists, engineers, and mission planners develop new methods for enhancing the survivability of future Mars astronauts while also maximizing mission success.

Biologists and chemists have a new programming language to uncover previously unknown environmental pollutants at breakneck speed -- without requiring them to code.

Biologists and chemists have a new programming language to uncover previously unknown environmental pollutants at breakneck speed -- without requiring them to code.

Engineers built E-BAR, a mobile robot designed to physically support the elderly and prevent them from falling as they move around their homes. E-BAR acts as a set of robotic handlebars that follows a person from behind, allowing them to walk independently or lean on the robot's arms for support.

Engineers built E-BAR, a mobile robot designed to physically support the elderly and prevent them from falling as they move around their homes. E-BAR acts as a set of robotic handlebars that follows a person from behind, allowing them to walk independently or lean on the robot's arms for support.

Spacecraft are expensive and intricately engineered machines designed to perform complex missions in harsh space environments. They're costly and require a long time to design and build. Due to their uniqueness and high value, and the need to keep them sterilized, they're assembled in cleanrooms that limit the amount of dust and microbes. New research shows that microbes are adapting to these clean rooms and learning how to thrive in them.