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New research finds that despite large rivers and seas of liquid methane, Saturn's moon Titan seems mostly devoid of river deltas, raising new questions about the surface dynamics on this alien world.

Whenever there’s even a slight chance that an exoplanet shows signs of biological activity, people understandably get excited – but it’s never been aliens, and we shouldn’t jump to conclusions, not this time or the next, says Chris Lintott

Researchers use the sophisticated technology on NASA's Perseverance rover to analyze volcanic rocks in Mars' Jezero Crater. Their findings show that some of the same volcanic processes that led to life on Earth happened long ago on Mars, a stunning step toward finding signs of ancient life on the Red Planet.

A quantum sensor using Earth's magnetic fields outperformed standard GPS backups in test flights. This technology could help commercial aircraft stay on course amid a rise in GPS jamming and spoofing attacks

A team of researchers has developed a new way to control light interactions using a specially engineered structure called a 3D photonic-crystal cavity that could enable transformative advancements in quantum computing, quantum communication and other quantum-based technologies.

A team of researchers has developed a new way to control light interactions using a specially engineered structure called a 3D photonic-crystal cavity that could enable transformative advancements in quantum computing, quantum communication and other quantum-based technologies.

A new smart insole system that monitors how people walk in real time could help users improve posture and provide early warnings for conditions from plantar fasciitis to Parkinson's disease.

Sticking to an exercise routine is a challenge many people face. But a research team is using machine learning to uncover what keeps individuals committed to their workouts.

A research team conducted a meta-analysis of the diagnostic capabilities of generative AI in the field of medicine using 83 research papers.

A research team develops high-power, high-energy-density anode using nano-sized tin particles and hard carbon.

An international research team has discovered the anomalous Hall effect in a collinear antiferromagnet. More strikingly, the anomalous Hall effect emerges from a non-Fermi liquid state, in which electrons do not interact according to conventional models. The discovery not only challenges the textbook framework for interpreting the anomalous Hall effect but also widens the range of antiferromagnets useful for information technologies.

An international research team has discovered the anomalous Hall effect in a collinear antiferromagnet. More strikingly, the anomalous Hall effect emerges from a non-Fermi liquid state, in which electrons do not interact according to conventional models. The discovery not only challenges the textbook framework for interpreting the anomalous Hall effect but also widens the range of antiferromagnets useful for information technologies.

A team has developed a soft, thin-film ABI. The device uses micrometer-scale platinum electrodes embedded in silicone, forming a pliable array just a fraction of a millimeter thick. This novel approach enables better tissue contact, potentially preventing off-target nerve activation and reducing side effects.

Jay Tanzman sent me a note after he’d read several posts excoriating antiwoke writers who agree with views similar to ours.  And it’s true: these days online denigration often takes the form of finding an association between someone you want to demonize and somebody who’s already demonized. Once you do that, there’s no need to deal with actual issues.  Here’s Jay’s Law, which is his.

Here it comes.

It’s coming soon.

Here it is:

Ad hominem is the new skepticism.

Dear readers, send in your wildlife photos, as we (aka “I”) need them.

Today we have an unusual series: the world from above, taken on a plane by David Jorling. David’s comments are indented, and you can enlarge the photos by clicking on them.

This series of photos were taken from a non stop flight from Phoenix to Portland. These pictures were taken as dawn was breaking on December 2, 2024. Based on the coordinates recorded on my iphone, this appears to be the Osgood Mountains in Northern Nevada, near or at the area where it has been reported a large Lithium deposit has been found.

This I believe is the Santa Rosa Range in Northern Nevada, near the town of Paradise Valley: Now over Oregon, this is Steens Mountain, which is about as remote an area you can find in Oregon’ and also one of the most beautiful.  I highly recommend a visit if the reader has  not been there.   You can drive to the peak and look east for miles. There is only one place to stay nearby which called French Glen, where good meals are served family style.

 

The plane is now approaching Portland from the East over the Columbia River Gorge. My window is facing south which provides a nice view of Mt. Hood looking south.. I have climbed to the summit, but that’s not saying much, as it has been reported that it is the most climbed peak in North America.  The best place to stay is Timberline Lodge, which is on the south face of the mountain:\

A closer look at MT Hood. The peaks on the horizon are from left: Mt bachelor, neat the City of Bend, Two of the Three Sister peaks, Mt Jefferson directly above Mt Hood, and I believe Mt Washington: on the right.

This is one of two reservoirs known as Bull Run, which supplies Portland with mosy of its water.  This is a few miles east of My Hood:

The plane went past the Portland airport and is turning to approach it from the west, just as the sun was rising:

The "skyglow" produced when light from cities bounces off clouds can help cyanobacteria and other aquatic microbes grow at night

Microbial communities feeding on geothermal methane seeps beneath the Antarctic ice sheet could resemble life-supporting environments on frozen worlds in our solar system and beyond

A network of Earth's best clocks will be synchronised with the most accurate one ever sent into space. But the device has a short shelf life: it will burn up in the atmosphere at the end of the decade as the ISS deorbits

Water filters made from untreated wood can remove more than 99 per cent of particles, taking out many harmful bacteria and microplastics

Astrobiologists are dying to send another mission to study Enceladus, the icy moon that orbits Saturn and has active plumes emanating from its surface, A team from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) proposes an Enceladus Orbitlander that would conduct in-situ measurements of Enceladus' plumes, which could confirm the presence of organics and maybe even life in its interior.