Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features NGC 1333, a reflection nebula located in the Perseus molecular cloud about 960 light-years away from Earth. The photo is a mosaic of images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope.



“Webb’s superb sensitivity allows astronomers to investigate young objects with extremely low masses. Some of the faintest ‘stars’ in the picture are in fact newly born free-floating brown dwarfs with masses comparable to those of giant planets,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



The same cluster was featured in the 33rd anniversary image of the Hubble Space Telescope in April 2023.&nbsp;



According to ESA, Hubble’s image just scratched the surface of this region, because clouds of dust obscure much of the star formation process. 



"Observing with larger aperture and in the infrared part of the spectrum, Webb is capable of peering through the dusty veil to reveal newborn stars, brown dwarfs and planetary mass objects."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-webb-s-view-of-ngc-1333">Webb’s view of NGC 1333</h2>



ESA noted that the center of the image presents a deep peek into the heart of the NGC 1333 cloud.&nbsp;



“Across the image we see large patches of orange, which represent gas glowing in the infrared. These so-called Herbig-Haro objects form when ionized material ejected from young stars collides with the surrounding cloud. They are hallmarks of a very active site of star formation."



The disks of gas and dust that surround the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/newly-discovered-stars-milky-way-are-old-as-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stars</a> in this image may eventually produce planetary systems.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stars-in-the-sun-s-birth-cluster">Stars in the Sun's birth cluster</h2>



“Similar to the young stars in this mosaic, our own Sun and planets formed inside a dusty molecular cloud, 4.6 billion years ago. Our Sun did not form in isolation but as part of a cluster, which was perhaps even more massive than NGC 1333,” explained ESA.



Over time, the stars in the Sun's birth cluster would have drifted apart due to gravitational interactions and the dispersion of gas in the region.



Astronomers have been studying certain clues, such as isotopic signatures in meteorites, that hint the Sun may have formed near massive stars. These stars likely produced supernovae, which could have influenced the early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-objects-spotted-in-the-outer-solar-system-beyond-pluto/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar system</a> by injecting heavy elements like iron-60.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-formation-in-ngc-1333">Star formation in NGC 1333</h2>



NGC 1333 is a vibrant example of a stellar nursery, where active <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/baby-stars-release-sneezes-of-gas-and-dust-as-they-develop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star formation</a> is ongoing. It is known for its chaotic appearance, shaped by the interactions between newborn stars and the surrounding material.



Within NGC 1333, astronomers have observed a high level of turbulence, which makes the region dynamic and complex. 



The disturbances are caused by the outflows of young stars as they eject material into their surroundings, creating shock waves and influencing further star formation. 



These outflows are often seen as jets, which are visible in multiple wavelengths of light, especially infrared, as the surrounding dust absorbs visible light.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-stages-of-planet-formation">Early stages of planet formation </h2>



NGC 1333 is also an area of interest for studying the early stages of star and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planet-formation-new-insights-mechanics-physics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet formation</a>, as many of the stars within the cluster are in their infancy.



These stars are still in the process of gathering material and developing protoplanetary disks.&nbsp;



In images, NGC 1333 is marked by bright patches of blue and red, representing reflection <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/six-rogue-worlds-discovered-inside-a-young-star-forming-nebula/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nebulae</a> and the ionized gas created by energetic young stars.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-perseus-molecular-cloud-nbsp">The Perseus molecular cloud&nbsp;</h2>



The Perseus molecular cloud is a vast region of cold gas and dust located about 600 light-years away from Earth in the constellation <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/1500-billion-orphan-stars-discovered-in-the-perseus-galaxy-cluster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Perseus</a>.&nbsp;



It is one of the most studied star-forming regions in our galaxy due to its relative proximity and the diversity of its young stellar objects. This cloud spans several hundred light-years and contains dense pockets of gas where new stars are actively forming.&nbsp;



These areas are often enshrouded in thick dust, which obscures them in visible light but allows astronomers to study them using infrared and radio wavelengths.



The Perseus molecular cloud is particularly interesting because of the chemistry taking place within it, including the formation of complex organic molecules that could be precursors to life.&nbsp;



Image Credit: ESA/Webb, NASA &amp; CSA



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Stellar nursery shines in the Perseus cloud

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency...

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features Messier 78 (M78), a reflection nebula located in the constellation Orion about 1,350 light-years away from Earth.&nbsp;



This image was released as part of the initial series of observations from ESA's <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Euclid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Euclid space mission</a>.&nbsp;



All data collected during these early observations, including a series of incredible <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Euclid/Euclid_s_first_images_the_dazzling_edge_of_darkness" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new views</a> of the nearby universe, is available to the public.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-image-of-messier-78">Image of Messier 78</h2>



Messier 78 is a dynamic region of star formation that is obscured by cosmic dust in this high-resolution image captured by the Euclid space telescope.



This specific view highlights how young stars generate winds of charged particles, carving out “cavities” in the molecular clouds around them.&nbsp;



The blue hues in the image represent ionized atomic hydrogen, which is a primary component of the cloud, while the red indicates the absorption and scattering of light by dust particles.



The image captures hundreds of stars varying in brightness, illuminating their nebulous, purple surroundings. A dark, arch-like structure stretches from the upper left to the bottom right of the frame, merging into the densest, darkest clouds at the image’s base.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-active-site-of-star-formation-nbsp">Active site of star formation&nbsp;</h2>



Messier 78 is not just a single nebula but part of a larger complex of stars and nebulous regions in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/orion-nebula-destroys-an-oceans-worth-of-water-every-month/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Orion</a>, which includes various other objects like dark nebulae that are visible as patches blocking light from behind.



This region is an active site of star formation, featuring many young stars and protostars, which are stars in the early stages of formation.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-viewing-messier-78">Viewing Messier 78</h2>



M78 is easily observable with small telescopes, and it appears as a hazy patch of light with two prominent stars near its center, which illuminate the surrounding dust.&nbsp;



The nebula is also a favorite among amateur astronomers for its beauty and relatively bright appearance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-subject-of-scientific-interest-nbsp">Subject of scientific interest&nbsp;</h2>



Messier 78 is fascinating not only for its visual beauty but also for its scientific interest, particularly in the study of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/baby-stars-release-sneezes-of-gas-and-dust-as-they-develop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star formation</a> and interstellar matter.&nbsp;



The nebula consists of dense, cold gas and dust, which are essential ingredients for the birth of new stars.&nbsp;



The intense blue light that characterizes M78 is due to the reflection of starlight off these dust particles - a process known as scattering.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-region-surrounding-messier-78-nbsp">Region surrounding Messier 78&nbsp;</h2>



The region surrounding M78 includes several other interesting features. For instance, there are Herbig-Haro objects within it, which are small patches of nebulosity associated with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-molecule-detected-in-space-where-stars-are-born/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">newly born stars</a>.&nbsp;



These objects are formed when gas ejected by young stars collides with clouds of gas and dust at high speeds, creating shock waves that glow brightly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earliest-stages-of-star-development-nbsp">Earliest stages of star development&nbsp;</h2>



Additionally, infrared observations of M78 have revealed much about the dust and colder objects in the area, which are not visible in optical light.&nbsp;



The observations have helped astronomers identify numerous young stars and brown dwarfs (objects that are too large to be planets and too small to be stars) within the nebula.&nbsp;



This makes M78 a critical area for studying the earliest stages of star development and the properties of the interstellar medium.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-euclid-space-mission-nbsp">Euclid space mission&nbsp;</h2>



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-batch-of-brilliant-images-from-the-euclid-mission-live-up-to-the-hype/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Euclid space mission</a> is designed to study the dark universe, particularly focusing on dark energy and dark matter. These components are believed to drive the accelerating expansion of the universe and shape its large-scale structure. 



The mission aims to map the geometry of the dark universe and better understand the physics of the cosmos.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observing-billions-of-galaxies-nbsp">Observing billions of galaxies&nbsp;</h3>



Euclid uses two primary scientific instruments: a visible light camera (VIS) and a near-infrared spectrometer and photometer (NISP).&nbsp;



These instruments will allow Euclid to measure the shapes and redshifts of galaxies at distances of up to 10 billion light-years. By surveying more than a third of the sky, the mission is expected to observe several billion galaxies.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-the-dark-universe-nbsp">Studying the dark universe&nbsp;</h3>



The data collected will help astronomers in studying the effects of dark matter and dark energy in depth, testing cosmological models, and exploring new theories about the nature of the universe.&nbsp;



The mission, named after the ancient Greek mathematician Euclid, seeks to address key questions related to the structure of the universe and the fundamental laws of physics governing its evolution and expansion.



Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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Messier 78: Young stars shine through dense dust

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency showcases the striking beauty of the planetary nebula NGC 2899, which resembles a moth in flight. The photo was captured by the Hubble Space Telescope.



“The planetary nebula NGC 2899 is shaped like a single macaroni noodle, with its edges pointed up, but its edge-on central torus is semi-transparent in the middle,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



“The top and bottom edges are thick and orange. The center is semi-transparent blue and green. The wider central region looks roughly like a moth, also filled with semi-transparent blue and green.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-defining-features-of-the-planetary-nebula">Defining features of the planetary nebula</h2>



The nebula features a bipolar, cylindrical outflow of gas extending diagonally, driven by intense radiation and stellar winds from a central <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/white-dwarf-planets-are-more-habitable-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">white dwarf</a> with a scorching temperature of nearly 22,000 degrees Celsius.&nbsp;



“In fact, there may be two companion stars that are interacting and sculpting the nebula, which is pinched in the middle by a fragmented ring or torus - looking like a half-eaten donut,” said ESA.



Streams of gaseous “pillars” extend outward, all pointing back toward the central source of energy. The vibrant colors in the image come from glowing hydrogen and oxygen gases.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discovery-and-significance-of-ngc-2899">Discovery and significance of NGC 2899</h2>



NGC 2899 was discovered by British astronomer John Herschel on March 2, 1835, during his survey of the southern skies from the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. Herschel cataloged many deep-sky objects in the southern hemisphere, contributing significantly to the New General Catalogue (NGC) compiled later by John Louis Emil Dreyer.



NGC 2899 is located approximately 4,500 light-years from Earth in the southern constellation Vela, which is part of the larger Vela-Puppis-Carina region of the Milky Way known for its rich <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fluffy-molecular-clouds-may-change-our-understanding-of-star-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star-forming activity</a> and remnants of past stellar explosions.&nbsp;



Vela, whose name means "sails" in Latin, represents the sails of the ancient Greek mythological ship Argo Navis. This region of the sky is particularly abundant in nebulae, star clusters, and other deep-sky objects, making it a focal point for astronomical observations.&nbsp;



The nebula’s distance places it well within our galaxy, offering astronomers a valuable glimpse into the later stages of stellar evolution and the processes that sculpt and illuminate planetary nebulae.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-a-planetary-nebula">What is a planetary nebula?</h2>



Nebulae are vast clouds of gas and dust in space, often serving as the birthplaces or remnants of stars.&nbsp;



They come in various types, including emission nebulae that glow due to ionized gases energized by nearby stars, reflection nebulae that shine by scattering starlight, and dark nebulae that obscure light from background <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/runaway-star-may-be-dragging-a-planet-along-with-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stars</a>.&nbsp;



Planetary nebulae form when dying stars shed their outer layers, creating colorful, often symmetrical shapes. Nebulae can span light-years across and are key to understanding the life cycles of stars and the structure of galaxies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-fate-of-dying-stars">The fate of dying stars</h2>



Not all dying stars become planetary nebulae. In fact, stars much more massive than the Sun follow a very different and far more violent path.&nbsp;



These massive stars end their lives in dramatic supernova explosions, releasing tremendous energy and scattering heavy elements into space, which enriches the interstellar medium.&nbsp;



What remains after the explosion depends on the star’s mass. The collapsed core can form a neutron star - an incredibly dense object composed mostly of neutrons. Or, if the star was even more massive, it may create a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astronomers-confirm-lone-black-hole-wandering-through-our-galaxy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black hole</a>, where gravity is so intense that not even light can escape.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-examples-of-winged-nebulae-nbsp">Examples of “winged” nebulae&nbsp;</h2>



Several well-known nebulae are noted for their "winged" or symmetrical, wing-like appearances, often earning them evocative nicknames.&nbsp;



One of the most famous is the Butterfly Nebula, located in the constellation Scorpius. This planetary <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dragons-egg-nebula-is-a-truly-stunning-sight-to-behold/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nebula</a> displays two expansive lobes that resemble butterfly wings, shaped by fast stellar winds from a dying star.



The Omega Nebula (also known as the Swan Nebula) in the constellation Sagittarius is a bright star-forming region that has been said to resemble a swan in flight. It has broad, glowing "wings" formed by clouds of ionized hydrogen gas. 



Similarly, the Eagle Nebula has an overall shape reminiscent of a bird with outstretched wings, which inspired its name. It is located in the constellation Serpens and home to the iconic "Pillars of Creation."



Image Credit: ESA



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Planetary nebula with ethereal wings captured by Hubble

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features the vibrant colors of the Mawrth Vallis region of Mars. The image reveals a landscape abundant in iron, magnesium, and aluminum.&nbsp;



Mawrth Vallis lies just south of the dichotomy boundary, a ridge marking the divide between Mars' southern highlands and northern lowlands. Layered, clay-rich deposits found in this valley indicate prolonged interactions with water. 



Mawrth Vallis is considered a prime candidate for studying past habitability and the potential for preserved biosignatures. The region continues to captivate scientists due to its geological complexity and history of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-has-a-water-reservoir-two-miles-deep-enough-to-fill-earths-red-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">liquid water</a> flow. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-colors-of-mars">The colors of Mars</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-samples-from-mars-could-reveal-fascinating-secrets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars</a> gets its distinctive red color from iron oxides, or rust, on its surface. The Martian soil and dust are rich in iron minerals, which oxidize when exposed to the small amounts of oxygen present in the Martian atmosphere.&nbsp;



This oxidation process gives the planet its reddish hue, similar to how iron objects on Earth develop rust. 



The scattering of sunlight by these iron oxide particles further enhances the reddish appearance when viewed from a distance. However, the human eye can only perceive a fraction of Mars' <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-captured-in-true-color-like-youve-never-seen-the-red-planet-before/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">true color</a> palette.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-striking-colors-revealed">Striking colors revealed</h2>



The European Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) aboard the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) offers a more detailed view, showcasing a striking diversity of colors.&nbsp;



This CaSSIS <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2024/06/Metallic_Mars_landscape" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">image</a> reveals yellow layers rich in iron and magnesium clays, overlain by white and blue layers abundant in aluminum.&nbsp;



The area is draped by a dark, heavily eroded layer, illustrating a vibrant, metallic landscape formed around 3.6 billion years ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-upcoming-rosalind-franklin-mission">Upcoming Rosalind Franklin mission</h2>



The Rosalind Franklin mission is a joint mission by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Roscosmos aimed at exploring the surface of Mars to search for signs of past or present life. 



The mission is named after Rosalind Franklin, the pioneering British scientist whose work was crucial in the discovery of DNA's structure.



The rover is designed to drill up to two meters below the Martian surface, where it is believed any signs of life may be better preserved, away from the harsh surface radiation. 



The Rosalind Franklin rover was originally scheduled to launch in 2020, but technical delays and the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the launch window to 2028. 



Once on Mars, the rover will collaborate with other missions like NASA's Perseverance and Curiosity rovers to advance our understanding of the Red Planet's habitability and history.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-mars-ancient-past">Studying Mars’ ancient past</h2>



While Rosalind Franklin prepares for its mission, the TGO remains in orbit, conducting crucial research to unravel Mars' ancient past and assess its potential <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-mars-seismic-discoveries-and-the-quest-for-past-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitability</a>.&nbsp;



Since beginning its full science mission in 2018, TGO has not only captured stunning images but also provided a comprehensive inventory of Mars' atmospheric gases and mapped water-rich locations on the planet's surface.



For six years, CaSSIS has delivered breathtaking views of Mars in vivid color, documenting features ranging from volcanic landscapes to active dust devils and immense sand dunes.&nbsp;



Understanding Mars' water history and its implications for past <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-is-letting-out-mysterious-methane-burps-but-why/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">life</a> remains a core focus of ESA’s ExoMars missions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-metals-on-mars">Metals on Mars</h2>



Mars is rich in various metals that contribute to its geological and mineralogical diversity. 



While iron is the most prominent, magnesium is also abundant. It is often found in the form of clays, contributing to the planet's diverse mineral composition. 



Aluminum is another significant metal present on Mars, commonly found in layered deposits and sediments. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-major-changes-over-time">Major changes over time</h2>



The metals are not evenly distributed but are found in various concentrations across the Martian surface. 



For instance, regions like Mawrth Vallis exhibit a complex layering of different metal-rich minerals, including iron and magnesium-rich clays overlain by aluminium-rich layers.&nbsp;



This diversity indicates a rich geological history involving water activity, volcanic processes, and sedimentary deposition.



The presence of these metals suggests that Mars has undergone significant chemical and physical processes over billions of years, shaping its current landscape.&nbsp;



Understanding the distribution and composition of metals on Mars helps scientists piece together the planet's history and assess its past potential for habitability.



Image Credit: ESA/TGO/CaSSIS



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Metallic Mars: The diverse colors of the Red Planet

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features a pair of interacting spiral galaxies known as the Antennae Galaxies. They are located approximately 45 million light-years away in the constellation Corvus.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-antennae-galaxies-in-a-deadly-embrace">Antennae Galaxies in a deadly embrace </h2>



“The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has snapped the best ever image of the Antennae Galaxies. Hubble has released images of these stunning galaxies twice before, once using observations from its Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2) in 1997, and again in 2006 from the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS),” noted <a href="https://esahubble.org/images/potw1345a/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



“The galaxies - also known as NGC 4038 and NGC 4039 - are locked in a deadly embrace. Once normal, sedate spiral galaxies like the Milky Way, the pair have spent the past few hundred million years sparring with one another.”



According to ESA, the clash of the Antennae Galaxies is so violent that stars have been ripped from their host <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/galaxy-collision-2-million-mph-stephans-quintet-captured-unprecedented-detail/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxies</a> to form a streaming arc between the two.&nbsp;



The name of the galaxy pair comes from this long stream of stars and gas, which resembles insect antennae.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intense-bursts-of-star-formation-nbsp">Intense bursts of star formation&nbsp;</h2>



The collision has triggered intense bursts of star formation, making the Antennae Galaxies one of the nearest and most dramatic examples of a starburst galaxy.&nbsp;



Many of the newly formed stars are concentrated in massive star clusters, some of which are expected to evolve into globular clusters over millions of years.



“This new image of the Antennae Galaxies shows obvious signs of chaos. Clouds of gas are seen in bright pink and red, surrounding the bright flashes of blue star-forming regions - some of which are partially obscured by dark patches of dust,” explained ESA.



“The rate of star formation is so high that the Antennae Galaxies are said to be in a state of starburst, a period in which all of the gas within the galaxies is being used to form stars.”&nbsp;



“This cannot last forever and neither can the separate galaxies; eventually the nuclei will coalesce, and the galaxies will begin their retirement together as one large elliptical galaxy.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-the-antennae-galaxies">Significance of the Antennae Galaxies</h2>



The Antennae Galaxies are one of the most well-studied examples of galaxy collisions - offering insight into the processes that shape galaxies over time.



Astronomers study the Antennae Galaxies using a range of telescopes across different wavelengths, including visible light, infrared, and X-rays.&nbsp;



Observations in X-rays have revealed evidence of supernovae and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-holes-may-talk-to-galaxies-through-energetic-winds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black holes</a>, while infrared studies highlight regions of dust and star formation.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-milky-way-s-collision-course-nbsp">The Milky Way's collision course&nbsp;</h2>



The Antennae Galaxies provide a glimpse into the future of our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/uma3-u1-faintest-star-system-found-orbiting-milky-way-galaxy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a>, which is expected to eventually merge with the Andromeda Galaxy - our closest spiral galaxy neighbor.



The cosmic collision course of the Milky Way and Andromeda will reshape both galaxies over billions of years.&nbsp;



This event is expected to occur in about 4.5 billion years. Both galaxies are part of the Local Group, a cluster of galaxies bound together by gravity. Their mutual gravitational pull is drawing them closer at a speed of approximately 110 kilometers per second.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-birth-of-an-elliptical-galaxy-nbsp">The birth of an elliptical galaxy&nbsp;</h2>



When the two galaxies collide, their individual stars will largely avoid direct collisions due to the vast distances between them. However, the gravitational forces involved will create dramatic effects.&nbsp;



These forces will distort the galaxies' <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shapes-of-one-million-galaxies-hint-at-the-universes-origins/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shapes</a>, triggering intense bursts of star formation as gas clouds collide and compress. Over time, the galaxies will settle into a new, larger elliptical galaxy often referred to as "Milkomeda" or "Milkdromeda" by astronomers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-galaxy-merger-and-the-solar-system">Galaxy merger and the solar system</h2>



Despite the seemingly destructive nature of the collision, the solar system is unlikely to face direct harm. Our Sun may find itself flung into a new orbit within the merged galaxy or even cast into intergalactic space.&nbsp;



The merger will also significantly alter the night sky, with the Andromeda Galaxy becoming increasingly prominent before blending into the unified structure.



This event is part of the natural <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/galaxies-are-much-bigger-than-we-originally-believed-gas-clouds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolution of galaxies</a> and serves as a fascinating reminder of the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the universe. 



While the collision is still billions of years away, studying it helps astronomers understand galactic interactions and the long-term future of our cosmic neighborhood.



Image Credit: ESA/Hubble &amp; NASA



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Violent clash of the Antennae Galaxies  

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features NGC 5335 - a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Virgo. 



The photo was captured by the Hubble Space Telescope. According to <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2025/04/Barred_Spiral_Galaxy_NGC_5335" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>, thousands of distant galaxies are speckled throughout the image in a variety of colors.&nbsp;



Hubble is revealing how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-galaxies-discovery-would-upend-current-understanding-of-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxies</a> form, grow, and evolve over cosmic time by capturing detailed images of galaxies at various stages of development, from the nearby universe to billions of light-years away. 



Hubble images have shown us that galaxies collide and merge, that star formation varies across different types of galaxies, and that supermassive black holes often lie at their centers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-ngc-5335">Studying NGC 5335</h2>



The galaxy NGC 5335 lies approximately 160 million light-years from Earth. It is classified as an SB(s)bc type galaxy, indicating a well-defined bar structure across its center with less distinct spiral arms. The galaxy was discovered by astronomer William Herschel on May 13, 1793. 



Like many galaxies of its type, NGC 5335 features active <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/star-formation-reignited-in-the-galaxy-leo-p-after-billions-of-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star formation</a>, especially in its spiral arms, where interstellar gas and dust provide the raw material for new stars. 



Observations in different wavelengths, including infrared and ultraviolet, help astronomers study its stellar population and the dynamics of its central bar.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hubble-s-view-of-the-spiral-galaxy-nbsp">Hubble’s view of the spiral galaxy&nbsp;</h2>



“NGC 5335 is categorized as a flocculent spiral galaxy with patchy streamers of star formation across its disk. There is a striking lack of well-defined spiral arms that are commonly found among galaxies, including our Milky Way,” noted ESA.



“A notable bar structure slices across the center of the galaxy. The bar channels gas inwards toward the galactic center, fueling star formation.”&nbsp;



“Such bars are dynamic in galaxies and may come and go over two-billion-year intervals. They appear in about 30 percent of observed galaxies, including our Milky Way.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-galactic-bar-in-the-milky-way-nbsp">Galactic bar in the Milky Way&nbsp;</h2>



The bar in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astronomers-found-something-strange-at-core-of-milky-way-galaxy-webb-meerkat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a> is a vast, elongated structure composed mostly of stars, stretching across the galaxy’s central region. It is a key feature of our galaxy’s architecture, spanning about 27,000 light-years and oriented at an angle relative to the galaxy’s spiral arms.&nbsp;



Astronomers believe it plays a crucial role in the dynamics and evolution of the Milky Way by funneling gas inward toward the galactic center, which can feed star formation and fuel the supermassive black hole at the core.&nbsp;



The bar is thought to have formed from instabilities in the galactic disk and continues to influence the motion of stars and the overall gravitational balance of the galaxy.&nbsp;



Observations in infrared and radio wavelengths, which can pierce through the dust in the galactic plane, have helped scientists map the bar’s size, shape, and orientation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-constellation-virgo-nbsp">The constellation Virgo&nbsp;</h2>



Virgo is one of the most prominent and well-known constellations in the night sky, both astronomically and mythologically. It is the second-largest constellation by area and lies along the zodiac, making it one of the twelve constellations through which the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/team-creates-video-showing-the-sun-in-gamma-rays-over-a-14-year-period/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sun</a> appears to move during the year. 



Virgo is most visible in the evening sky in the Northern Hemisphere during spring, particularly in April and May. Its name means “virgin” in Latin.



Virgo is traditionally associated with various fertility and agriculture goddesses across different cultures, including the Greek goddess Demeter and her daughter Persephone, as well as the Roman goddess Ceres. 



In some myths, Virgo represents Astraea, the virgin goddess of justice who fled to the heavens during the corruption of mankind.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-astronomical-significance-of-virgo">Astronomical significance of Virgo</h2>



Astronomically, Virgo is situated between Leo to the west and Libra to the east. One of its most notable stars is Spica, the brightest star in Virgo and one of the brightest in the night sky.&nbsp;



Spica is a blue-white giant, located approximately 250 light-years from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/was-early-earth-a-purple-planet-scientists-say-its-possible/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth</a>. It has been important for navigation and agriculture for centuries, marking planting and harvest times in ancient calendars.



Virgo is also of great interest to astronomers because it hosts the Virgo Cluster, a massive cluster of galaxies about 65 million light-years away.&nbsp;



This cluster contains more than 1,000 galaxies, and it's part of the larger Virgo Supercluster, which also includes our own Local Group of galaxies. This makes Virgo a key area for studying large-scale structures in the universe.



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Hubble spotlights galaxies in the constellation Virgo

Upon seeing that there was a strange new ape present, the silverback needed to determine if he was a threat to the troop. In that moment, the spy gorilla would be put to the ultimate test...

Fists of Fury

Waiting is hard. Whether it’s a child eyeing a cookie or a sea creature hovering above a crab, the tug between “now” and “later” shapes daily choices. Across species, holding off for a better payoff often pairs with sharper thinking and long-term success.



Scientists have tracked this link for decades in humans and chimpanzees, yet evidence in animals without fur or feathers has been thin.



A new study puts cuttlefish at center stage with the famous "marshmallow test," and shows that these soft-bodied hunters can summon patience - and brainpower - to rival some of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-chimpanzees-take-risks-like-human-teens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flashiest vertebrates</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-patience-marshmallows-and-cuttlefish">Patience, marshmallows, and cuttlefish</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crows-can-recognize-geometric-patterns-in-shapes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Self-control</a> is the mental brake that lets an individual pass up an immediate bite for a bigger meal down the road. In people, stronger self-control predicts better grades, steadier income, and healthier habits. 



Among animals, apes, parrots, and crows often wait, while <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/monkeys-with-greater-social-tolerance-have-more-self-control/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">monkeys</a>, rats, and pigeons seldom do. Biologists think the variation reflects how each species makes a living.



Lifespan, growth rate, and food supply all shape patience. Long-lived creatures can afford to wait, and social animals may hold back until a partner arrives. 



Predators stalking elusive prey, from ravens to reef fish, also do well to bide their time. Untangling which factor matters most is tough because many well-studied vertebrates share several of those traits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-undersea-cuttlefish-marshmallow-test">Undersea cuttlefish marshmallow test</h2>



The famous marshmallow test gave preschoolers one marshmallow right away or two if they waited 15 minutes. 



To translate that setup underwater, the team offered hungry cuttlefish a piece of ordinary shrimp and, behind a clear barrier, a tastier live grass shrimp. 



Sliding doors let each animal see both treats while controlling when each became reachable.



Some cuttlefish snatched the plain snack at once. Others hovered, watched, and resisted for more than two minutes, choosing the better catch when the moment came. 



Individual wait times ranged from 50 to 130 seconds, figures that match those reported for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-brain-study-will-shed-new-light-on-avian-intelligence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parrots and crows</a> despite the cephalopods’ far shorter lifespan.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-did-they-perform">How did they perform?</h2>



The work comes from lead author Alexandra Schnell of the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a>, who collaborated with <a href="https://www.mbl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marine Biological Laboratory</a> senior scientist Roger Hanlon and colleagues. 



“We used an adapted version of the Stanford marshmallow test, where children were given a choice of taking an immediate reward (1 marshmallow) or waiting to earn a delayed but better reward (2 marshmallows),” Schnell explained.



The cuttlefish that participated in the marshmallow study were able to wait for the better reward, tolerating delays of up to 50–130 seconds. 



This is comparable to what we see in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animal-intelligence-did-not-evolve-due-to-natural-selection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">large-brained vertebrates</a> such as chimpanzees, crows, and parrots.



Patience alone would be interesting, yet the researchers also asked whether it linked to learning ability. They trained each animal to match a colored mark on the tank wall with food, then reversed the rule so the reward switched colors. 



“The cuttlefish that were quickest at learning both of those associations were better at exerting self-control,” Schnell continued.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-patience-pays-off">Patience pays off</h2>



Reversal learning tests <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiny-songbirds-are-masters-of-memory-and-adaptation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental flexibility</a> because an animal must suppress a habit and update its plan when conditions flip. 



In the study, individual cuttlefish that waited the longest in the marshmallow food test also adapted fastest when the color code changed. 



The pairing hints that the brain circuits holding an impulsive tentacle in check may also help rewrite memories on the fly.



The findings appeared in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, marking the first documented link between delayed gratification and intelligence outside the primate lineage. 



For researchers, that pushes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/horses-demonstrate-an-unanticipated-level-of-intelligence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complex cognition</a> deeper into the tree of life and invites fresh questions about how such abilities evolve among invertebrates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-cuttlefish-wait-on-the-marshmallow">Why cuttlefish wait on the marshmallow</h2>



Cuttlefish spend <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cuttlefish-camouflage-is-much-more-complex-and-mind-boggling-than-initially-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">most of their time camouflaging</a>, sitting and waiting, punctuated by brief periods of foraging. 



“They break camouflage when they forage, so they are exposed to every predator in the ocean that wants to eat them," Schnell concluded. 



"We speculate that delayed gratification may have evolved as a by-product of this, so the cuttlefish can optimize foraging by waiting to choose better-quality food.”



That scenario fits their daily routine. A cuttlefish <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cuttlefish-use-camouflage-to-stalk-unsuspecting-crabs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">can blend its skin</a> with pebbles or coral in less than a second, then freeze for hours. 



Every dash into open water risks a chase from cod, dolphins, or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dna-fishing-helps-scientists-survey-marine-life-in-the-deep-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bigger cephalopods</a>, so selecting the richest prey while exposed could boost energy intake without extra danger.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-intelligence-everywhere-we-look">Finding intelligence everywhere we look</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sex-chromosome-discovered-in-octopuses-is-480-million-years-old/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Octopuses</a> and squids already headline stories for maze solving and coconut-shell shelter building, yet cuttlefish now join them as evidence that big brains are not the only route to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cuttlefish-form-false-memories-events-similar-human-brains/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sophisticated behavior</a>. 



Similar challenges - avoiding predators while hunting nimble prey - can mold very different nervous systems into comparable solutions through <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolutionary-deja-vu-the-symbiotic-relationships-of-trees-and-ants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">convergent evolution</a>.



Self-control underpins planning, cooperation, and perhaps the roots of culture in vertebrates. 



Finding the same thread in a creature that last shared an ancestor with humans more than 500 million years ago suggests that patience is more than a moral virtue; it is a versatile strategy etched deep into the fabric of life.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2020.3161" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B</a>.



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Cuttlefish easily passed a test designed for kids, startling scientists with their high intelligence level

Waiting is hard. Whether it’s a child eyeing a cookie...

Not all traditions make sense. That’s true for humans, and maybe even monkeys, as we are about to learn. We humans are experts at passing down habits, rituals, and cultural quirks that don’t always have a clear purpose. 



Why do we knock on wood or toss salt over our shoulder? Half the time, we’re just copying what we’ve seen others do. 



Scientists have long wondered: do animals do this too? Can they pass along behaviors that seem… well, pointless?



Turns out, maybe they can. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-capuchin-monkeys-and-baby-howlers">Capuchin monkeys and baby howlers</h2>



On a remote island in Panama, researchers spent over a year watching a group of young male capuchin monkeys do something bizarre: they started grabbing and carrying around baby howler monkeys from another species. 



This wasn't a one-off event - it happened again and again, involving five different capuchins from the same group. Even more fascinating, these are the same monkeys known for a rare tradition of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/capuchin-monkeys-use-clever-tools-to-access-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">using stone tools</a>. 



The scientists tracked how this odd “howler abduction” behavior began with one curious monkey and slowly caught on with others. 



And here's the kicker: this trend, strange as it seems, may have spread the same way their more practical tool-use habits did - through <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-tolerance-helps-monkeys-pass-along-new-skills/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social learning</a>, imitation, and the powerful pull of monkey see, monkey do.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-capuchin-baby-abduction">Studying capuchin baby abduction</h2>



Researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior (<a href="https://www.ab.mpg.de/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MPI-AB</a>) and other institutions began monitoring these capuchins in Coiba National Park back in 2017.



Their camera traps were designed to capture the tool-using behaviors of the primates. But in 2022, something unexpected showed up in the footage.



“It was so weird that I went straight to my advisor’s office to ask him what it was,” remembered Zoë Goldsborough, who is conducting her dissertation at MPI-AB.



What she saw was a capuchin carrying an infant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/howler-monkeys-use-mental-maps-for-route-navigation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">howler monkey</a>. Nothing like it had appeared before in five years of data. Curious and concerned, the researchers decided to dig deeper.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-observation-of-unusual-behavior">First observation of unusual behavior</h2>



Goldsborough began reviewing the footage from every motion-triggered camera on the island. She found more than just a single instance. 



There were actually four different howler infants being carried. And in most of the clips, the carrier was the same capuchin: a young male they nicknamed “Joker.”



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/capuchin-monkey_abduction_howler-monkey-baby_credit-MPI_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/capuchin-monkey_abduction_howler-monkey-baby_credit-MPI_1s.webp" alt="A young male white-faced capuchin monkey carrying a baby howler monkey, caught by a remote camera trap on Jicarón. Credit: Brendan Barrett / Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior" class="wp-image-1970602"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A young male white-faced capuchin monkey carrying a baby howler monkey, caught by a remote camera trap on Jicarón. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Brendan Barrett / Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior</figcaption></figure>



This raised new questions. How did Joker get the babies? And why was he carrying them?



“At first, we thought it could be adoption,” said Goldsborough.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cross-species-adoption">Cross-species adoption </h2>



There are rare stories of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wild-bonobos-adopt-infants-outside-of-their-social-group/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals adopting</a> babies of other species. In one famous case, a pair of capuchins adopted a marmoset and raised it to adulthood. 



But there was a catch. Adoption is typically done by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/female-monkeys-with-strong-friendships-survive-longer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">females</a>, often as a way to practice mothering. This made Joker’s behavior especially unusual.



“The fact that a male was the exclusive carrier of these babies was an important piece of the puzzle,” she adds.



For a while, nothing else surfaced. The team assumed it was an isolated case. Capuchins are known for trying new things, so one monkey acting oddly wasn’t too surprising.



“We’d decided that it was one individual trying something new,” said Brendan Barrett, a group leader at MPI-AB.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-other-capuchins-start-stealing-babies">Other capuchins start stealing babies</h2>



Five months later, the researchers hit pay dirt. The cameras captured more footage of howler infants being carried - this time by multiple monkeys. The infants were verified as separate individuals by a howler monkey expert from Ithaca College.



And now Joker had company. Four other young male capuchins were also carrying howler babies.



In a span of just 15 months, five capuchins carried a total of 11 howler infants. Each baby clung to the back or belly of its carrier. 



The monkeys didn’t change their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saving-the-cultural-legacy-of-wild-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">daily routines</a>. They kept traveling and using tools, even with a baby howler in tow.



“The complete timeline tells us a fascinating story of one individual who started a random behavior, which was taken up with increasing speed by other young males,” said Barrett.



The team documented the entire timeline on an interactive website. What emerged was a new kind of social tradition - what the researchers described as a cultural fad. 



Like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/photographer-captures-killer-whales-wearing-fish-hats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whales wearing salmon hats</a> or chimpanzees sticking blades of grass in their ears, the capuchins appeared to be mimicking one another.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sad-side-of-animal-research">Sad side of animal research</h2>



But unlike other animal fads, this one had troubling consequences. The howler infants were very young - less than four weeks old. 



Their parents were seen nearby, calling to them from the trees. Four of the babies died. The researchers believe none of them survived.



"The capuchins didn’t hurt the babies,” stressed Goldsborough, “but they couldn’t provide the milk that infants need to survive.”



So what did the capuchins get out of it? Nothing obvious. They didn’t eat the infants, interact with them playfully, or receive any extra attention from others in their group.



“We don’t see any clear benefit to the capuchins,” said Goldsborough, “but we also don’t see any clear costs, although it might make tool use a little trickier.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-does-all-of-this-mean">What does all of this mean?</h2>



This may be the first recorded case of a social tradition where animals repeatedly abduct and carry the young of another species - without any benefit to themselves. 



It also shows that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-are-not-the-only-animals-that-create-their-own-culture/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">culture in animals</a> isn’t always functional or harmless.



“We show that non-human animals also have the capacity to evolve cultural traditions without clear functions but with destructive outcomes for the world around them,” commented Barrett.



This opens up a deeper question.



“The more interesting question is not ‘why did this tradition arise?’ but rather ‘why here?’”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-do-capuchins-innovate-out-of-boredom">Do capuchins innovate out of boredom?</h2>



These same capuchins are also the only ones known to use <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/capuchin-monkeys-use-clever-tools-to-access-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stone tools</a> on Jicarón Island. They crack nuts and shellfish with stones. And just like the howler-carrying behavior, this tool use is performed only by males.



Why these traditions? Why only males?



“Survival appears easy on Jicarón. There are no predators and few competitors, which gives capuchins lots of time and little to do,” said Meg Crofoot, managing director at MPI-AB.



“It seems this ‘luxurious’ life set the scene for these social animals to be innovators. This new tradition shows us that necessity need not be the mother of invention. For a highly intelligent monkey living in a safe, perhaps even under-stimulating environment, boredom and free time might be sufficient.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-impact-on-howler-monkeys">Potential impact on howler monkeys</h2>



The camera trapping period ended in July 2023. It’s still unclear if the behavior is continuing. If it spreads or begins to impact the local howler monkey population, which is an endangered species, it could become a serious conservation issue.



“Witnessing the spread of this behavior had a profound effect on all of us,” said Crofoot. 



“We therefore feel even more responsible to keep learning from this natural population of primates who, to our knowledge, are the only ones on earth to be practicing this strange tradition.”



The story unfolding on Jicarón Island is a reminder that animals, like humans, can be deeply influenced by their peers. 



Sometimes, those influences lead to remarkable adaptations. Other times, they can lead to something far more puzzling.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0960982225003720" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



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Capuchin monkeys have developed a very disturbing 'social tradition' of abducting babies

Not all traditions make sense. That’s true for humans, and...

Many people wonder what to do with the endless stream of used batteries. Batteries can contain toxic elements of nickel that escape into water or soil if they are tossed out incorrectly, raising concerns for public safety and wildlife. 



Experts at the Institute of Materials Chemistry (<a href="https://www.tuwien.at/en/tch/imc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IMC</a>) have introduced a plan for extracting nickel from Ni-MH batteries and recovering aluminum from everyday foil.



The experts' work is led by <a href="https://www.tuwien.at/en/tch/tch-persons-and-groups/habilitation-holders/guenther-rupprechter" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Prof. Günther Rupprechter</a> from the Institute of Materials Chemistry at TU Wien. The strategy involves making a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/nanocatalyst" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nanocatalyst</a> that converts carbon dioxide into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-new-source-of-methane-emissions-discovered-glacial-fracking-arctic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">methane</a> using moderate conditions and minimal pressure requirements.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-use-of-nickel-from-batteries">Making use of nickel from batteries</h2>



“Recycling is an important step, but even greater impact can be achieved by upcycling nickel into catalysts capable of producing fuels,” said <a href="https://scholar.google.com.pk/citations?user=r7RcyIEAAAAJ&amp;hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Qaisar Maqbool</a>, first author of the study. 



Aluminum foil adds the second ingredient. Ni-MH batteries, widely used in portable gadgets, hold valuable nickel. Separating that metal from old batteries can be complicated, but the effort is worthwhile.&nbsp;



Both scraps undergo a series of treatments in solutions. Nickel salts are extracted from the battery parts, while aluminum foil is turned into a stable oxide. 



Then both ingredients are combined, dried, and heated to form an active solid. That final material supports nickel particles on aluminum oxide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-transforming-carbon-dioxide">Transforming carbon dioxide</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-based-carbon-dioxide-removal-may-not-be-effective/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carbon dioxide</a> can be converted into methane in a reaction often called CO₂ methanation. Scientists have been testing metal-based catalysts for this process for years. By mixing the new catalyst with a stream of CO₂ and hydrogen, the final product is methane.



“We believe that this approach can transform sustainable fuel production,” stated Prof. Rupprechter. Producers may collect the resulting methane for industrial energy demands. 



Some believe this approach can be paired with renewable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-photosynthesis-could-transform-power-generation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hydrogen systems</a> to reuse captured CO₂. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nickel-catalyst-has-steady-performance">Nickel catalyst has steady performance</h2>



Researchers report that the nickel-alumina catalyst holds up well at normal pressures and moderate temperatures. That resilience suggests it could find use in large-scale operations without suffering significant damage. 



Tests indicate the catalyst is stable and maintains a good conversion rate of CO₂ even with temperature adjustments. Reliability matters because catalysts often lose efficiency over time, especially in repeated heating cycles. 



The team, however, did not spot a major drop in the performance of the nickel-based system in their trials. That stability is a key advantage when considering industrial adoption.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recycling-nickel-and-aluminum-as-catalysts">Recycling nickel and aluminum as catalysts</h2>



Spent catalysts can accumulate carbon buildup or structural changes. Even if efficiency stays high, a plan is needed for the final phase. This team focused on easy recycling. 



Spent nickel and aluminum are separated through a mild chemical treatment, leaving both <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rocky-mountain-snow-contains-toxic-metals-from-faraway-mining/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">metals</a> ready for another round of use. Those steps highlight a desire for full-circle resource usage. 



This means nickel and aluminum can go back into new catalysts instead of ending up as garbage. Chemists point out that this loop may lower overall emissions and operating costs for companies involved in renewable fuels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-benefits-of-battery-disposal">Environmental benefits of battery disposal</h2>



Battery disposal has long been a thorny subject for local waste facilities. Spent Ni-MH units sometimes end up abandoned. Nickel, a heavy metal, can leach into soil or water without careful handling. 



Meanwhile, aluminum foil is often discarded after a single kitchen use, despite its high potential for reuse. By turning both into a single product, the project cuts down on metal waste and puts those metals to work. 



Such methods may trim reliance on fresh raw materials. That is crucial as industries hunt for new ways to conserve finite resources.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-research-might-go-next">Where research might go next</h2>



“Now we want to investigate how this process can be scaled up for technological applications,” shared Prof. Rupprechter. Results so far point to an encouraging path, though more refining is needed. 



Smaller pilot systems might appear first in academic labs. Then, if these do well, larger facilities could adopt the strategy.&nbsp;



Some organizations see potential to fit this model into sectors where methane is in high demand. Continued progress depends on reliable suppliers for waste batteries and used foil. It also hinges on the ability to bring down costs for hydrogen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-closing-the-loop">Closing the loop</h2>



This concept aims to blend two environmental dilemmas - <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-electric-car-battery-charges-in-just-4-5-minutes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">battery</a> waste and CO₂ buildup - into one practical fix. The catalyst’s durability and straightforward production offer a notable opportunity for business ventures wanting cleaner energy. 



A system that helps keep nickel and aluminum out of landfills may also reduce the impact on natural habitats. Such efforts reflect a broader emphasis on recovering metals for reuse. 



Leaders in the field see it as a logical move toward a future with smaller carbon footprints and less industrial discard. The approach also shows how hidden value can be tapped from items commonly seen as trash.



The study is published in <a href="https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2025/gc/d4gc05217j" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Green Chemistry</a>.



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New recycling method plants dead batteries in the ground and harvests clean fuel

Many people wonder what to do with the endless stream...

What do chickens and women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have in common? Quite a lot, it seems. A common diabetes drug - metformin - may bridge their reproductive challenges.



Researchers at <a href="https://www.psu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penn State</a> have made an unexpected discovery. Metformin, often prescribed for type 2 diabetes and PCOS in humans, can boost egg-laying in aging chickens. 



The findings could change poultry farming while offering insights into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sperm-have-a-heat-activated-switch-that-may-be-key-to-fertility/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reproductive health</a> across species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-older-hens-lose-fertility-fast">Older hens lose fertility fast</h2>



Broiler breeder hens are specially bred for one goal: producing the chickens people eat. These hens give birth to fast-growing offspring, allowing the meat industry to meet global demand. 



But this intense selection has a downside. As these hens age, they struggle to lay <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/male-infertility-screening-will-be-drastically-improved-with-ai/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fertile</a> eggs. Their reproductive efficiency drops sharply after a certain point.



The decline in egg production has puzzled researchers for years. It mirrors certain characteristics of PCOS in women - a disorder marked by irregular cycles and hormonal imbalances. 



Scientists began to ask whether a treatment effective in women could also improve egg-laying in chickens. Their attention turned to metformin.



PCOS is the most common endocrine disorder in women. It affects an estimated 4% to 12% of the female population. Many women with PCOS experience infertility due to hormonal disruptions and insulin resistance. 



Metformin, while not originally developed for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-and-traffic-noise-increase-risk-of-infertility/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reproductive health</a>, has become a key treatment option for managing PCOS symptoms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-metformin-boosts-hormone-health">Metformin boosts hormone health </h2>



In a 2023 study published in Reproduction, Penn State researchers tested metformin on broiler breeder hens. Over a span of 40 weeks, a group of hens received small daily doses of the drug. 



The team monitored their reproductive performance and physiological changes. What they found was striking.



The hens on metformin laid significantly more fertile eggs. They also had reduced body fat and more stable reproductive hormone levels compared to untreated hens. 



These findings thrilled the researchers, who saw not only a performance boost but a meaningful biological shift.



“These findings suggest that metformin can significantly improve ovarian <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/male-infertility-humans-linked-same-genes-gorilla-small-penises/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">function</a> in broiler breeder hens,” said Ramesh Ramachandran, senior author on the study and professor of reproductive biology in the College of Agricultural Sciences.



The next step was to figure out how metformin caused these changes. The team had a hunch the liver played a key role.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-metformin-alters-genes-in-chickens">Metformin alters genes in chickens</h2>



In birds, the liver is central to reproduction. It is the site where egg yolk proteins are produced before being transported to developing eggs. If metformin could influence liver function, it might explain the broader improvements seen in the hens. 



To test this, the research team examined liver samples using gene sequencing tools at Penn State’s Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences. They analyzed RNA from the liver - material that controls which genes are active or silent. The sequencing results told a compelling story.



Metformin activated genes tied to yolk protein production and blood sugar regulation. At the same time, it suppressed genes associated with fat buildup, a known disruptor of hormone balance.



“Essentially, metformin helps older hens stay metabolically healthier, which lets them keep producing eggs well beyond their usual decline,” said Evelyn Weaver, postdoctoral researcher and lead author on both studies. Her explanation captured the study’s essence in plain terms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wider-implications-for-poultry-farming">Wider implications for poultry farming</h2>



These findings could reshape how poultry farms manage their flocks. When hens lose their fertility early, farmers must replace them often, increasing both costs and stress on the animals. Metformin’s ability to prolong egg production offers a new approach - one that is both practical and humane.



By keeping hens reproductively active longer, farms can reduce the frequency of flock turnover. This could improve animal welfare and lead to more efficient use of resources. Importantly, metformin is quickly broken down by chickens, so it poses no threat of entering the human food chain.



Weaver emphasized that safety aspect, assuring that the drug does not leave residue in eggs or meat. This makes it a promising tool for farms looking to improve production without compromising safety.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improving-the-lives-of-people-and-chickens">Improving the lives of people and chickens</h2>



This research shows how biological pathways can overlap across species. Chickens and humans might seem unrelated at first glance, but their reproductive systems respond to the same drug in surprisingly similar ways. 



The hormonal, metabolic, and genetic responses observed in hens may offer clues for improving PCOS treatment strategies in people. While the goal was to support poultry farming, the outcomes also prompt deeper reflection. 



Could further study of animal models like hens refine our understanding of human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/male-infertility-screening-will-be-drastically-improved-with-ai/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reproductive health</a>? The evidence suggests it’s worth investigating.



Metformin has already improved the lives of countless people with diabetes and PCOS. Now, it’s helping hens produce eggs more consistently. In the process, it’s also helping scientists understand the rich tapestry of life where chickens and humans unexpectedly meet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collaborations-and-funding">Collaborations and funding</h2>



The work was conducted in the Ramachandran lab&nbsp;at&nbsp;Penn State’s Department of Animal Science. The research team included Professor Ramesh Ramachandran, Professor Tae Hyun Kim, and undergraduate researcher Nathan Connolly.



The experts published two studies - one focused on egg production and another on liver gene expression. Funding came from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usda.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Department of Agriculture</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nih.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Institutes of Health</a>.



Ultimately, the project connects food production with broader biological questions. By exploring how a human medication interacts with avian biology, the researchers have opened new doors for science and farming alike.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/biolreprod/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/biolre/ioaf072/8099357?redirectedFrom=fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biology of Reproduction</a>.



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Common drug humans take is found to boost fertility in both women and chickens

What do chickens and women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)...

It's widely known that elephants are intelligent. Their deep family bonds, tool use, and emotional awareness have fascinated humans for generations. But despite being one of the animal kingdom’s most admired creatures, their brains remain largely understudied. 



That’s starting to change. In a recent study led by researchers at the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience at <a href="https://www.hu-berlin.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin</a> and the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, scientists took a closer look at elephant brain. 



The team analyzed the brains of both Asian and African elephants using dissections, MRI scans, and data from past studies. What they found offers new insights into the differences between the two species and raises new questions about how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dog-breed-behavior-linked-to-brain-size/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain size connects to behavior</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-size-differences">Surprising size differences</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wild-asian-elephants-exhibit-strong-capacity-for-innovation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Asian elephants</a> tend to be smaller than their African counterparts. They have shorter ears, a single “trunk finger” instead of two, and most females don’t grow tusks. But inside their skulls, things get interesting.



Researchers found that adult female Asian elephants have brains weighing around 5,300 grams on average. In comparison, African females average just over 4,400 grams. 



That’s a substantial difference. While data for male Asian elephants is limited, it’s clear that males of both species generally have heavier brains.



One more surprise came from the cerebellum. In the African group, it makes up about 22% of total brain weight, compared to 19% in the Asian group.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-elephants-expanding-intelligence">Elephants' expanding intelligence</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/we-cant-remember-being-babies-but-our-brains-might/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Human babies</a> are born with brains that weigh only about 20% of their final adult size. Elephants aren’t far behind. 



The study found that elephant brains nearly triple in size from birth to adulthood. That’s more postnatal growth than any other primate besides humans. Why so much growth? The researchers believe social learning may be the key.



“Social factors and learning processes could explain the strong brain growth after birth, as elephants live in complex social structures and have an outstanding memory," said Michael Brecht and Thomas Hildebrandt, co-lead authors of the study.



"The experience and accumulated knowledge of adult elephants, especially matriarchs, is central to the group behavior of elephants, and the young animals are very closely cared for over a long period of childhood and adolescence."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-elephants-two-brains">Two elephants, two brains </h2>



The two species of elephants behave very differently around people. Asian elephants have been working alongside humans for centuries, often in domesticated or semi-domesticated roles. 



In contrast, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/african-elephants-will-soon-become-extinct-without-immediate-international-help/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">African elephants</a> rarely adapt to human presence. Domestication attempts have been largely unsuccessful.



Could brain weight be part of the reason? “The difference in brain weight is perhaps the most important difference between these two elephant species,” said Malav Shah, first author of the study. “It could explain important behavioral differences between Asian and African elephants.”



Motor control could also play a role. African elephants, with their two trunk fingers, have a more dexterous trunk. Scientists link this complexity to the larger cerebellum and the higher number of neurons dedicated to trunk movement.



“With their two trunk fingers, African elephants can perform more diverse movements, which is also reflected in a higher number of neurons in the trunk's control center in the brain,” said Brecht and Hildebrandt.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unlocking-the-brain-mystery">Unlocking the brain mystery</h2>



The team analyzed a rare collection of 19 elephant brains, most from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-did-pandemic-lockdowns-affect-zoo-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">zoo animals</a> or wild elephants that died naturally or were euthanized for welfare reasons. These specimens are extremely hard to come by, making the findings even more valuable.



Still, much remains unknown. Brecht and Hildebrandt acknowledge that many questions are left unanswered. 



The researchers plan to continue studying elephant brains to understand how structure affects social behavior, memory, and motor skills. As they put it, research into these massive “control centers” is only just beginning.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saving-elephants-through-science"> Saving elephants through science</h2>



Understanding the elephant brain isn’t just about satisfying curiosity. It helps scientists learn more about intelligence, memory, and social behavior across species - including humans.



These animals share traits with us that are rare in the animal world: they grieve, they cooperate, and they learn from experience. 



By studying how their brains develop and differ between species, researchers are piecing together how these abilities are wired.



The study also raises important questions about conservation. As human activity continues to threaten wild elephant populations, knowing more about how these animals think and interact could play a vital role in shaping better protection strategies. 



If we want to ensure a future where these animals continue to roam, we need to understand what makes them who they are - inside and out.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/4/5/pgaf141/8138140" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PNAS Nexus</a>.



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Elephant brains reveal big differences among species

It's widely known that elephants are intelligent. Their deep family...

Humpback whales have long been thought to give birth in tropical waters, like the Great Barrier Reef. But sightings of newborn calves stretching all the way down to Tasmania are changing that narrative. 



The sightings of baby humpback whales suggest that some mothers are giving birth over 1,500 kilometers south of the expected calving grounds.



Scientists from <a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UNSW</a> Sydney led the study that brought this discovery to light. The research was based on over 200 calf sightings reported by whale watching operators, government wildlife agencies, and everyday observers.



The sightings span from Queensland down to Tasmania and even across to New Zealand’s South Island. The findings challenge what we thought we knew about where these giant creatures begin their lives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-baby-humpback-whale-sightings">Baby humpback whale sightings</h2>



The idea for this research began when PhD candidate and whale watching skipper Jane McPhee-Frew saw something unusual off the coast of Newcastle.



“I was working part-time as a skipper on a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/loud-tourist-boats-endanger-the-long-term-survival-of-whales/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whale-watching boat</a> in Newcastle when I first spotted a calf in the area,” said McPhee-Frew.



“It seemed out of place. The calf was tiny, obviously brand new. What were they doing here? But none of my tourism colleagues seemed surprised."



That moment led to conversations with research colleagues. McPhee-Frew discovered there was a gap between what science had recorded and what people out on the water were witnessing.



“Eventually, we just ran out of land to see them from. So we don't actually know where the limit is. But we had reports right to the bottom of Tassie, the southernmost points of Western Australia and to the South Island of New Zealand.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-whales-in-the-danger-zone">Whales in the danger zone</h2>



The first sighting in Newcastle came in a very busy shipping area - home to the largest coal export port on Earth. Many of the calf sightings in the study were recorded from 2016 onwards, with the bulk of them happening in 2023 and 2024.



“It’s not just the sightings themselves that are important,” noted McPhee-Frew. "The pattern we’re seeing is <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/habitat-is-important-to-keep-young-right-whales-undetected/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mother whales</a> with calves travelling through some of the busiest shipping lanes and urbanised regions.



“This means these vulnerable animals are exposed to risks like boat strikes, entanglements, pollution - and just general public unawareness.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threats-to-baby-humpback-whales">Threats to baby humpback whales </h2>



Humpback whales were nearly wiped out in the 1960s. Conservation efforts have since helped their numbers bounce back to an estimated 50,000 today.



While the idea of baby humpback whales being born this far south may sound new, McPhee-Frew thinks it might be an old habit we’re only now seeing again.



She explored 19th-century whaling logs and old expedition notes that included reports of calves and mothers in similar southern locations.



The low population after decades of industrial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-whaling-wiped-two-species-of-whales-in-the-eastern-atlantic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whaling</a> might have made this behavior invisible for years. Now, thanks to drones, social media, and booming whale tourism, people are noticing more than ever before.



According to McPhee-Frew, it’s vital to raise awareness about the dangers these young whales face as they travel thousands of kilometers north.



“Regardless of the health of population now, we can't be in a situation where we're putting any age of whales - especially baby whales - in a situation where they're getting caught in nets, being exposed to chemicals, being hit by boats and being harassed.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-newborns-in-busy-shipping-lanes">Newborns in busy shipping lanes</h2>



Study co-author Professor Tracey Rogers noted that newborn whales face unique challenges. 



“Newborns are like Great Dane puppies. They have those long, enormous fins that they need to grow into, and they’re not very strong swimmers. So they rest a lot of the time on their mum’s back,” said Professor Rogers.



“Imagine giving birth off Hobart and then swimming up the coast. It’s heartbreaking to think of these young whales traveling through busy ports and dangerous shipping lanes with those long, clumsy fins."



“And it's not just happening here in NSW - this is off WA, Victoria, Tasmania, New Zealand - it's something we just didn't know before.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-humpback-whales">Protecting humpback whales </h2>



Dr Adelaide Dedden from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service says that while laws exist to protect humpbacks, many water users still aren't aware of them.



“The legislation to protect humpback whales, including mothers and calves, is already in place across all states,” said Dr Dedden. "But we do have a gap in public awareness, particularly among recreational water users."



“People need to be aware that calves are being seen not just on the southern migration but also on the northern one.”



Close-up photos may make it seem like baby whales are easy to spot, but these moments are rare and should happen on the whales' terms - not because a boat got too close.



“Humpbacks are charismatic and curious,” said Dr Dedden. “They're going to want to come and check out the boat.”



The recommended distance is 100 meters from adult whales and 300 meters from a mother-calf pair.



“We’ve been working hard to get this message out to the public and encourage boaters, surfers, kayakers and jet-ski operators to be aware of these guidelines,” noted Dr Dedden.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-excitement-and-curiosity-about-whales">Excitement and curiosity about whales</h2>



According to McPhee-Frew, collaboration between scientists, government agencies, tourism operators, and the public has made this research possible.



Whale watching crews often spot <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-hidden-struggles-of-pregnant-humpback-whales/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">calves</a> and pass on vital information. They also help educate the public on how to safely enjoy watching whales.



Social media platforms have played a big role too. Photos and sightings shared by users help track where whales are seen - and when.



“The excitement and curiosity around whales are contagious,” said McPhee-Frew. "We’ve built a huge repository of data just by encouraging the public to share observations.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-many-questions-remain">Many questions remain</h2>



There’s still one big question that remains. Why are the mothers still traveling north after giving birth, especially when food is so scarce in tropical waters?



McPhee-Frew suggests we need to rethink the idea that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/noise-pollution-is-increasingly-disrupting-whale-migration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whale migration</a> has fixed start and end points. Maybe whales use different environments in different ways.



“We still have a lot to learn. But, you know what? It's such a privilege to see whales. It is such a fantastic aspect of living in Australia. We just need to follow the rules so everyone can enjoy.”



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1545526/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Marine Science</a>.



Image Credit: © Vanessa Risku (Instagram: @droning_my_sorrows)



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Baby humpback whales are born in places we didn't expect

Humpback whales have long been thought to give birth in...

A burst of energy more powerful than any other laser in the United States just fired from the ZEUS facility - at a jaw-dropping 2 petawatts. That’s two quadrillion watts in a single pulse. It's a flash so brief it lasts just 25 quintillionths of a second.



At peak output, ZEUS briefly outshines the global electricity grid - by more than 100 times. But this isn’t just about raw power. It’s the beginning of a new era in ultrafast laser experiments with far-reaching possibilities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-national-lab-with-a-shared-mission">National lab with a shared mission</h2>



Based at the <a href="https://umich.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan</a>, ZEUS - short for Zettawatt-Equivalent Ultrashort Pulse Laser System - just completed its first official experiment at this intense 2-petawatt level. 



The lab is part of the Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science and is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF).



"This milestone marks the beginning of experiments that move into unexplored territory for American high field science," said Karl Krushelnick, director of the center.



As a user facility, ZEUS offers its capabilities to researchers across the U.S. and around the world. Teams can apply to conduct experiments through an independent selection process, making it a truly collaborative space for discovery.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-zeus-laser-is-like-no-other">ZEUS laser is like no other</h2>



"One of the great things about ZEUS is it's not just one big laser hammer, but you can split the light into multiple beams," explained Franklin Dollar, a professor at the University of California, Irvine (<a href="https://www.uci.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCI</a>). Dollar’s team is running the first user experiment at full strength.



Their goal? To generate high-energy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/laser-technology-could-improve-radiation-treatments-for-cancer-patients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">electron beams</a> that are comparable to those from kilometer-long particle accelerators, using a device that fits in a room the size of a school gym.



Dollar’s experiment aims to hit energy levels five to ten times higher than ZEUS has ever produced before.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-laser-beams-accelerate-electrons">Laser beams accelerate electrons</h2>



The team uses two synchronized laser <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/if-shadows-are-created-by-light-how-can-laser-light-cast-a-shadow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beams</a>. One creates a guiding channel; the other accelerates electrons down that path.



"We aim to reach higher electron energies using two separate laser beams - one to form a guiding channel and the other to accelerate electrons through it," said Anatoly Maksimchuk, a University of Michigan research scientist leading the experimental setup.



This process relies on plasma physics. The laser blasts into helium gas, transforming it into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plasma-can-bend-magnetic-fields-into-unique-shapes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plasma</a> - a soup of free electrons and ions. Electrons surf behind the laser pulse in a process known as wakefield acceleration.



By extending the gas cell and reducing its density, electrons stay in the accelerating zone longer before overtaking the pulse. This allows them to reach much higher speeds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-zeus-laser-testing">More ZEUS laser testing</h2>



Later this year, ZEUS plans to run its signature test. Accelerated electrons will smash into a laser pulse coming from the opposite direction. 



In the electrons' reference frame, the laser’s 3-petawatt pulse will appear a million times more powerful - hitting the “zettawatt equivalent” level that gives ZEUS its name.



"The fundamental research done at the NSF ZEUS facility has many possible applications, including better imaging methods for soft tissues and advancing the technology used to treat <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-cancer-cell-death-may-transform-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer</a> and other diseases," explained Vyacheslav Lukin, program director at NSF.



"Scientists using the unique capabilities of ZEUS will expand the frontiers of human knowledge in new ways and provide new opportunities for American innovation and economic growth."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-space-big-power">Small space, big power</h2>



The ZEUS facility packs an incredible punch in a relatively small footprint. The laser starts as an infrared pulse, stretched out by diffraction gratings to reduce its intensity. 



It then passes through four stages of amplifiers. At its largest, the beam is 12 inches (30 centimeters) wide and several feet long.



As it enters a vacuum chamber, another set of gratings compresses the beam into a disk only 8 microns thick, which is ten times thinner than paper. It's then focused down to less than a micron to achieve peak intensity.



"As a midscale-sized facility, we can operate more nimbly than large-scale facilities like particle accelerators or the <a href="https://lasers.llnl.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Ignition Facility</a>," commented John Nees, a research scientist who leads ZEUS laser construction. "This openness attracts new ideas from a broader community of scientists."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-zeus-hasn-t-been-easy">Building ZEUS hasn't been easy</h2>



The journey to 2 petawatts hasn’t been fast. A key challenge has been sourcing components - especially the titanium sapphire crystal at the heart of the final amplifier. 



At nearly 7 inches (18 centimeters) wide, it’s one of only a few in the world.



"The crystal that we're going to get in the summer will get us to 3 petawatts, and it took four and a half years to manufacture," said Franko Bayer, ZEUS project manager.



Even scaling up to 1 petawatt came with issues. The diffraction gratings darkened during tests, raising alarms. 



The team discovered the cause - carbon deposits from broken-down air molecules in the vacuum chamber - and developed a maintenance schedule to clean them between experiments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-zeus-laser-is-just-getting-started">The ZEUS laser is just getting started</h2>



Since opening in October 2023, ZEUS has already supported 11 experiments, and hosted 58 researchers from 22 institutions. 



There’s still plenty of science to do with a 1 petawatt pulse while the team works steadily toward their 3-petawatt goal.



This facility isn’t just pushing boundaries. It’s reshaping what’s possible for high-powered laser research in the U.S. - and doing it with shared access and global collaboration at its core.



Click here to <a href="https://youtu.be/3SYbLsSQBZE" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">watch a video of how ZEUS works...</a>



Details of the research were obtained from a University of Michigan <a href="https://news.umich.edu/the-us-has-a-new-most-powerful-laser/">press release</a>.



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Most powerful U.S. laser just hit an astounding 2 petawatts, over 100x the global electricity output

A burst of energy more powerful than any other laser...

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing it with probiotics and prebiotics, aiming to create a treat that satisfies cravings while supporting gut health. 



The challenge lies in maintaining chocolate's beloved texture and flavor while adding health benefits.



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Probiotics - beneficial microbes that balance gut bacteria and aid digestion - are typically fragile and can be destroyed by stomach acid or processing. 



Prebiotics act as food for these microbes, helping them thrive. Together, they form "synbiotics," a powerful health combination.



Researchers Smriti Gaur and Shubhi Singh from India's Jaypee Institute of Information Technology took an innovative approach, using natural prebiotics like corn and honey instead of complex processing methods. 



They created five chocolate varieties: a control and four synbiotic versions containing different combinations of prebiotics, probiotics (Lactobacillus strains), and flavor enhancers (cinnamon or orange).



Laboratory simulations of human digestion showed the probiotics remained viable for over five hours, suggesting they could survive long enough to benefit gut health.



Taste tests were positive, with researchers particularly enjoying the orange-flavored variety, describing it as having "vibrant citrus notes" complementing the "rich cocoa" with a "luxurious" texture.



This research represents just the beginning. With further refinement of strains, textures, and flavors, chocolate could evolve beyond mere indulgence to become a functional food that nourishes while it delights.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.4c00741" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS Food Science &amp; Technology</a>.

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Nushagak Bay, a large estuary in southwest Alaska. Nushagak runs mainly north to south and exits in Bristol Bay, a large body of water in the Bering Sea.



"The bay is primarily fed by the Nushagak River, which begins in the Alaska Range and flows southwest approximately 450 km. The bay is also fed by several additional rivers including the Wood, Igushik, Snake and Weary rivers," says ESA.



"The dark colors of the Nushagak River are most likely due to tannins or lignins (chemical substances found in plants). Tannins and lignins from roots, leaves, seeds, bark and soil can leach into the water and give it a brown or even black colour. The sediments then flow southwards where it is mixed with the bluer waters of the bay."



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> (ACS) reveals that proteins on flu viruses are actually flexible, tilting and waving in a “breath-like” motion. According to the experts, these proteins could be used to better defend against the flu.



"The main antigenic targets of influenza virus are two surface glycoproteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Whereas the structural and dynamical properties of both glycoproteins have been studied previously, the understanding of their plasticity in the whole-virion context is fragmented," wrote the researchers.



To investigate, the team conducted detailed simulations of the influenza A H1N1 virion, or the swine flu. The experts concluded that the visualizations show many new vulnerable states of flu viruses, which could improve future vaccines and antiviral drugs.



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Lake Trasimeno, which is located west of Perugia in central Italy. It is the fourth largest lake in the country. While Trasimeno’s water level varies, it has a maximum depth of approximately six meters.&nbsp;



"In this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image, captured on 6 August 2022, the lake’s emerald green colour is likely due to the presence of phytoplankton. Streaks in the water, particularly visible in the west, indicate the presence of soil and sediments which have been stirred up by winds. Dark colored waters in the southern part of the lake indicate a presence of submerged and floating macrophytes (aquatic plants) as well as algae," says ESA.



"Surrounded by hills on three sides, Trasimeno is subject to heavy storms created by winds, especially from the north and west. There are three islets in the lake: Maggiore, Minore and Polvese (the largest). The lake’s shores are sparsely inhabited with only two popular villages: Castiglione del Lago and Passignano sul Trasimeno."



"Italy is experiencing its worst drought in 70 years which has affected drinking water supplies, hydroelectric power and agricultural production. High temperatures, hot winds and lack of rainfall are the main causes of drought in the Umbrian region which saw Lake Trasimeno’s drop 1.3 m, reaching the limit of the hydrometric zero in July 2022."



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> describes a new self-powered nanosensor that can instantly detect mercury contamination with the tap of a finger.&nbsp;



The oxidized form of mercury can be harmful when it is ingested through contaminated water or food. This makes it necessary for experts to develop sensors that can quickly and accurately detect the presence of mercury.&nbsp;



Zong-Hong Lin and colleagues have now created a triboelectric nanosensor (TENS) that can detect mercury by simply by touching a sample. According to the researchers, their TENS could serve as the basis for similar devices to safely and remotely monitor other pollutants.



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Kainji Lake, a reservoir on the Niger River.



In 1968, Kainji Lake was created by the construction of the Kainji Dam. The Niger River, the third longest in Africa, enters the lake in the north.&nbsp;



According to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rivers-in-the-american-west-are-a-lifesaving-resource-for-birds/">ESA</a>, the creation of the lake submerged Foge Island and the town of Bussa and permanently flooded other riverine settlements, leaving around 50,000 people displaced.&nbsp;



Large parts of Foge Island are temporarily exposed during low water tides, and the land is often used by migrating fishermen. Kainji Dam is a dam across the Niger River in Niger State of Central Nigeria. 



Wild mammals occur at relatively low densities due to illegal hunting. Lake Kainji has suffered a dramatic decline as a fishery due to the high numbers of artisanal and subsistence fisherfolk using the lake. It has been suggested that a period of closure, together with controlled fishing rights may help improve fish stocks.



Kainji Lake National Park is the oldest of its kind in Nigeria. The park contains three distinct areas: a part of the Kainji Lake, the Borgu Game Reserve to the west of the lake, and the Zugurma Game Reserve to the southeast. The park is home to around 65 mammal species, 350 bird species, and 30 species of reptiles and amphibians. 



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

[sendtonews key="iuA5mpp3jv-1641775-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

As you might assume, a new gorilla appearing in the mountains is going to attract some attention. Unsurprisingly, the troop&#8217;s dominant male noticed the visitor and came over to check it out. Photo credit: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Alpha Male

Once on the ground in Africa, the team headed into a sanctuary where they knew gorillas could be found. They set up the camera and, before long, its powers of disguise were put to the test. Photo credit: Murray Close/Getty Images

Alpha Male

News coming your way