Today's Image of the Day from NASA features the spiral galaxy NGC 2566, which is located 76 million light-years away in the constellation Puppis. 



The striking image was captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.



“A prominent bar of stars stretches across the center of this galaxy, and spiral arms emerge from each end of the bar. Because NGC 2566 appears tilted from our perspective, its disk takes on an almond shape, giving the galaxy the appearance of a cosmic eye,” said <a href="https://phys.org/news/2024-12-hubble-spies-spiral-galaxy-ngc.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.



“As NGC 2566 appears to gaze at us, astronomers gaze right back, using Hubble to survey the galaxy's star clusters and star-forming regions.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-appearance-of-ngc-2566">Complex appearance of NGC 2566</h2>



NGC 2566 lies at a considerable distance from Earth, making it a challenging object for amateur astronomers to observe in detail without powerful telescopes.&nbsp;



It can be seen in the Southern Hemisphere sky and is better observed from locations with minimal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-light-pollution-influences-interest-in-astronomy/">light pollution</a>. 



The galaxy's arms are populated with young, bright stars, regions of active star formation, and interstellar gas and dust - giving it a dynamic and complex appearance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-the-ages-of-stars">Measuring the ages of stars</h2>



According to NASA, data from Hubble is especially valuable for studying stars that are just a few million years old. “These stars are bright at the ultraviolet and visible wavelengths to which Hubble is sensitive.”



“Using these data, researchers can measure the ages of NGC 2566's stars, which helps piece together the timeline of the galaxy's star formation and the exchange of gas between star-forming clouds and the stars themselves.”



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



Star formation in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shapes-of-one-million-galaxies-hint-at-the-universes-origins/">galaxies</a> is a fascinating and complex process that unfolds over millions of years. It begins in vast clouds of gas and dust, known as molecular clouds, which are often found in the spiral arms of galaxies or in regions of irregular or starburst galaxies. 



These clouds provide the raw material for star formation, consisting primarily of hydrogen and helium, with trace amounts of heavier elements.



As the molecular clouds collapse under their own gravity, regions within them begin to condense and fragment, forming dense clumps. Within these clumps, protostars emerge. Their formation is driven by the gravitational pull drawing in surrounding gas.&nbsp;



During this process, the gas heats up due to increasing pressure, eventually igniting nuclear fusion in the core, signaling the birth of a new star.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rates-of-star-formation">Rates of star formation</h2>



The rate of star formation varies across galaxies is influenced by numerous factors. In spiral galaxies like the Milky Way, star formation is most active in the spiral arms, where density waves compress gas and dust, triggering the collapse of molecular clouds.&nbsp;



Elliptical galaxies, which often have little cold gas and dust, typically exhibit low rates of star formation or none at all.



On the other hand, starburst galaxies experience episodes of exceptionally high star formation, often triggered by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/webb-captures-a-galaxy-collision-with-a-radiant-smile/">galactic collisions</a> or interactions.



These events can funnel large amounts of gas into central regions, leading to intense star-forming activity. However, such bursts are usually short-lived on cosmic timescales, exhausting the available gas quickly.



The environment within a galaxy also plays a significant role. Stellar winds and supernova explosions from existing stars can both inhibit and promote star formation. They may disperse gas, preventing further collapse, or compress nearby clouds, triggering new star formation.&nbsp;



As galaxies evolve over time, the availability of gas diminishes, leading to a gradual decline in star formation activity.



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



The Puppis constellation in the southern sky represents the stern of a ship. It was once part of a larger constellation known as Argo Navis, which depicted the mythical ship of Jason and the Argonauts.&nbsp;



However, Argo Navis was later divided into three separate constellations: Puppis, Carina (the keel), and Vela (the sails). Puppis is the largest of these three and contains many notable celestial objects.



This constellation is home to several bright stars, including Naos (Zeta Puppis), a hot, massive star that emits intense ultraviolet radiation. Puppis also hosts a wide variety of deep-sky objects, such as open <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stunning-star-clusters-captured-in-the-extreme-outskirts-of-the-milky-way/">star clusters</a> and nebulae. 



Among these, Messier 46 and Messier 47 stand out. Both are beautiful star clusters that are visible through binoculars or small telescopes. The region is dense with stars because it lies along the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milky-way-collision-may-change-everything-we-know-about-our-galaxy/">Milky Way</a>, making it a prime area for stargazing and astrophotography. 



Image Credit: NASA



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Eye in the sky: A galaxy that appears to be gazing back

Today's Image of the Day from NASA features the spiral...

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features a large phytoplankton bloom in the Gulf of Maine.



The image was captured on June 21, 2025, by the Ocean Color Instrument (OCI) on NASA’s PACE satellite.&nbsp;



“In summer 2025, waters in the Gulf of Maine popped with vivid swirls of blue and green. The cause was a massive bloom of phytoplankton - microscopic plant-like organisms that often float near the ocean surface,” noted <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154472/a-booming-bloom-returns-to-the-gulf-of-maine">NASA</a>.



“Scientists say it was one of the largest blooms of its kind to show up in the Gulf’s waters in recent years.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bloom-in-the-gulf-of-maine">Bloom in the Gulf of Maine </h2>



Catherine Mitchell is a satellite oceanographer at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. She noted that the Gulf of Maine bloom contained coccolithophores, a type of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiny-phytoplankton-that-feed-ocean-life-are-rapidly-disappearing/">phytoplankton</a> that makes the water appear milky blue.



“The tiny organisms, along with other types of phytoplankton, including diatoms that bloom here in spring, lie at the base of the marine food web,” explained NASA.



“Their presence - or absence - in Gulf of Maine waters can affect the entire ecosystem, from finfish to shellfish, and the region’s fisheries that depend on them.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-conditions-and-plankton-communities-nbsp">Shifting conditions and plankton communities&nbsp;</h2>



Mitchell said that coccolithophore blooms like this one became less common in the Gulf’s waters starting around 2010. But in recent years, they’ve started to come back.&nbsp;



Scientists have also seen more dinoflagellates (a type of phytoplankton that move with tiny tails) and an overall drop in phytoplankton productivity over the past few decades.



These changes in plankton are linked to shifting ocean conditions. For instance, heavy rainfall from 2006 to 2009 made the Gulf’s waters fresher. Then, starting in 2008, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/invisible-forest-of-phytoplankton-thrives-in-a-warming-climate/">warm water</a> from deep in the North Atlantic began heating the Gulf from the bottom up.&nbsp;



However, by spring 2025, bottom-water temperatures were cooler than they’ve been in 20 years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ongoing-research-efforts">Ongoing research efforts</h2>



“The relationship between these changing water conditions and phytoplankton communities in the gulf remains unclear, but ongoing research could begin to provide some answers,” noted NASA.



“In fact, Mitchell and colleagues scrutinized this PACE image just days before heading out on a research expedition to study the bloom and other ocean properties up close. The cruise, the third so far this year, offers scientists the chance to validate ocean color data collected by PACE with real-world ocean samples.”



Mitchell pointed out that a major benefit of the PACE satellite is its ability to “see the rainbow,” which makes it easier for scientists to distinguish between groups of phytoplankton.



“With our continuing field measurements, we will validate ocean color observations from PACE, enabling satellite observations in the Gulf of Maine and supporting the region’s fisheries and aquaculture industries.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vital-signs-of-ocean-health">Vital signs of ocean health</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dust-from-africa-sparked-a-massive-phytoplankton-bloom/">Phytoplankton blooms</a> like the one captured in the Gulf of Maine are vital signs of ocean health. These microscopic organisms form the foundation of marine food webs, feeding everything from tiny zooplankton to large fish, whales, and seabirds.&nbsp;



When conditions are right - such as warm temperatures, abundant sunlight, and available nutrients - phytoplankton populations can grow rapidly, creating colorful blooms that are visible from space.



The Gulf of Maine is particularly sensitive to environmental change. Located at the intersection of cold northern currents and warmer waters from the south, it’s a dynamic ecosystem where small shifts in temperature or salinity can have outsized effects.&nbsp;



This region is also one of the fastest-warming ocean areas on the planet, with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-temperatures-are-rising-faster-than-expected-and-likely-to-accelerate/">temperatures</a> rising more than three times the global ocean average in some years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forecasting-changes-with-ocean-monitoring-nbsp">Forecasting changes with ocean monitoring&nbsp;</h2>



Changes in water temperature and salinity have ripple effects across the food chain. Warmer waters can favor certain types of phytoplankton over others, shifting the balance of species in ways that affect what fish and shellfish are available to predators - and to the region’s fisheries.&nbsp;



For example, coccolithophores may thrive in clearer, warmer waters, while traditional spring-blooming diatoms do better in colder, more nutrient-rich conditions.



Long-term monitoring is essential to understand and predict these shifts. Satellites like PACE provide a global view of ocean color, which reflects the presence and composition of phytoplankton.&nbsp;



By combining these observations with ship-based sampling, scientists can get a more complete picture of how plankton communities are evolving and how that affects everything from carbon cycling to fisheries sustainability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warming-in-the-gulf-of-maine-nbsp">Warming in the Gulf of Maine&nbsp;</h2>



The Gulf’s warming trend has already caused noticeable ecological changes. Some species of fish have moved farther north or into deeper waters in search of cooler temperatures.&nbsp;



Lobsters, a key commercial species, have shifted their range as well. Meanwhile, harmful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/green-algae-in-lake-erie-may-be-hiding-toxic-deadly-compounds/">algal blooms</a> - caused by certain types of phytoplankton - have become more frequent in some parts of the Gulf, threatening shellfish harvests and public health.



Scientists are working to better predict how blooms will respond to future climate conditions.&nbsp;



Understanding which species are likely to dominate under warmer, fresher, or more acidic conditions can help predict changes in fish stocks, shellfish safety, and ecosystem stability.&nbsp;



This kind of forecasting is especially important in the Gulf of Maine, where marine resources are closely tied to local economies.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Giant bloom in the Gulf of Maine signals change

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features...

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features Lake Chad in central Africa. The photograph was taken by an astronaut on the International Space Station.



According to <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154407/lake-chads-water-wetlands-and-dunes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>, Lake Chad once ranked among the largest natural lakes in the world. It was a critical resource for millions of people and animals, supporting agriculture and fishing across the region.&nbsp;



Lake Chad straddles the borders of Chad, Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon. The shallow <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lakes-are-warming-toward-the-point-of-no-return/">lake</a> is primarily fed by the Chari River, which brings water from the Central African Republic. 



The water levels are also influenced by seasonal rainfall. The rainfall patterns vary significantly across the basin but generally follow a wet-dry seasonal cycle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-decline-and-shrinkage-nbsp">Environmental decline and shrinkage&nbsp;</h2>



From the 1960s to the early 2000s, the lake lost more than 90 percent of its surface area. It transformed from a vast expanse of open water into a patchwork of wetlands, reed beds, and scattered pools.&nbsp;



This environmental decline has had severe consequences for local communities, leading to food and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-water-security-relies-on-the-origins-of-rainfall/">water insecurity</a>, loss of livelihoods, and increasing competition over scarce resources.



“Ongoing droughts and the rising demand for fresh water have shrunk the lake to less than a tenth of the area it covered in the middle of the last century,” noted NASA.



“Although the lake has experienced dry and wet periods for thousands of years, there has been a significant decline in the amount of lake water available since the 1960s.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conflict-culture-and-economy">Conflict, culture, and economy</h2>



Lake Chad is a geopolitical hotspot. The region has been affected by conflict, including the insurgency led by Boko Haram, which has displaced millions and further complicated efforts to manage and protect the lake’s fragile ecosystem.&nbsp;



Despite these challenges, regional governments and international organizations are working to restore and sustain the lake, including ambitious proposals to divert water from the Congo River basin.



Culturally and economically, Lake Chad remains vital. It is a hub for trade and social exchange among diverse ethnic groups and continues to provide fish and fertile land despite its reduced size.&nbsp;



The future of Lake Chad hinges on sustainable water management, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-extremes-alter-how-sunlight-travels-through-clear-lakes/">climate</a> resilience, and political cooperation across national boundaries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-of-lake-chad-nbsp">Evolution of Lake Chad&nbsp;</h2>



According to NASA, the evolution of Lake Chad has been documented by astronaut photography over the past 60 years.&nbsp;



“During the Apollo 7 mission in 1968, an astronaut acquired an oblique <a href="https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/SearchPhotos/photo.pl?mission=AS07&amp;roll=8&amp;frame=1932" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photograph</a> of the lake as one large body of water. In 1982, another photo from the space shuttle mission STS-5 recorded receding water levels and encroaching sand dunes.”



“A photo taken in 2015 during space station Expedition 42 captured the lake’s remaining waters and wetlands in dark green, blue, and brown, contrasting with the sandy shades of the surrounding land.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildlife-of-lake-chad">Wildlife of Lake Chad</h2>



Lake Chad still supports wildlife, though species diversity and abundance have declined significantly due to ecosystem degradation



The lake and its surrounding wetlands are home to several species of fish, including tilapia, catfish, and Nile perch, which are important both ecologically and economically.&nbsp;



These fish support a major regional fishing industry, although overfishing and changes in water conditions have put pressure on fish populations.



Birds are another key component of the ecosystem. The lake serves as a crucial habitat and stopover point for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-may-be-using-quantum-physics-for-migration/">migratory birds</a> traveling along the African-Eurasian flyway. 



Species such as herons, storks, ducks, and geese can be found in the region, especially during the wet season when parts of the lake flood and create rich feeding grounds.



Mammals that depend on the surrounding floodplains and wetlands include hippos and various antelope species, yet their numbers have declined.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-efforts-and-challenges">Conservation efforts and challenges</h2>



Reptiles like Nile crocodiles and turtles also inhabit the lake's waters and marshy areas. In the past, larger wildlife such as elephants and lions may have roamed the wider Lake Chad basin, but they are now mostly gone from the immediate lake area due to habitat loss and human activity.



Despite these challenges, Lake Chad remains an important, yet increasingly fragile, refuge for wildlife in a region where water and natural habitats are becoming more scarce.&nbsp;



Conservation efforts aim to balance the needs of people and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/thousands-of-freshwater-species-are-threatened-with-extinction/">wildlife</a>, but the success of such efforts depends on managing the lake’s limited resources in the face of climate change, political instability, and population growth.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Lake Chad: A vanishing lifeline in Central Africa

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features the Bear Gulch Fire, which has persisted for weeks on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington.  



The fire was ignited on July 6, 2025. Over the past month, it has grown into one of the most significant wildfires in the region's recent history. 



The <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154682/fire-burns-through-olympic-wilderness">image</a> was captured by the Landsat 8 satellite on August 12. “On that day, smoke reached a height of nearly 30,000 feet because of significant fuel consumption and unstable atmospheric conditions,” noted <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-progression-of-the-bear-gulch-fire-nbsp">Progression of the Bear Gulch Fire&nbsp;</h2>



By August 12, the fire had expanded by approximately 1,200 acres in just 24 hours, burning a total of 7,390 acres.  



This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fast-wildfires-are-gaining-even-more-speed/">rapid growth</a> was fueled by a combination of high temperatures - reaching 93°F - and dry vegetation that had been primed by weeks of drought. Firefighting efforts were further complicated by the region's rugged terrain, making containment challenging. 



The fire's progression into the forest canopy in certain areas has been particularly concerning.  Flames have spread with the help of hanging moss. 



Rock outcrops - which normally act as natural firebreaks - have been consumed due to the burning of moss on them. This behavior demonstrates the fire's intensity and the unusual conditions contributing to its spread. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community-and-environmental-response">Community and environmental response</h2>



In response to the fire's advancement, the Staircase area of Olympic National Park, along with several trails and campgrounds in the adjacent Olympic National Forest and Mount Skokomish Wilderness Area, were closed as of August 14, 2025.  



These closures aim to protect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-smoke-is-an-escalating-public-health-emergency/">public safety</a> and allow firefighting efforts to proceed without interference. As of the latest reports, no structures have been damaged, but the situation is still evolving. 



Firefighters continue to battle the Bear Gulch Fire. They are using a number of strategies to contain its spread, including bucket drops from helicopters.  



The coming days will be critical in determining the fire's trajectory and the effectiveness of suppression efforts.  Residents and visitors are urged to stay informed through official channels and to follow all safety advisories. 



The Bear Gulch Fire serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by wildfires in the Pacific Northwest, especially under the influence of climate change.&nbsp;&nbsp;



The wildfire highlights the need for ongoing vigilance, preparedness, and adaptation in the face of evolving environmental conditions.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-human-and-ecological-toll">The human and ecological toll</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fear-and-anxiety-the-mental-health-impacts-of-wildfires/">Wildfires</a> don’t just threaten trees and wildlife - they disrupt communities. Evacuations and road closures become part of life during fire outbreaks. 



Residents often have to adjust daily routines to reduce exposure to smoke, taking steps ranging from keeping windows closed to limiting outdoor activities. Local health services may see an increase in respiratory issues, particularly among children, the elderly, and those with preexisting conditions. 



At the same time, fire crews and emergency responders face heightened risks as they work to contain the flames - highlighting the human effort required to protect both communities and the environment during these events.



Smoke can travel miles from the blaze, affecting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-smoke-delivers-a-double-hit-to-air-quality/">air quality</a> and public health in nearby towns. 



Wildlife faces habitat loss, and even small changes to forest ecosystems can have ripple effects on biodiversity, soil health, and water quality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-and-wildfire-risks">Climate change and wildfire risks</h2>



The Bear Gulch Fire reflects a broader pattern affecting the Pacific Northwest. Increasing temperatures, prolonged droughts, and shifting precipitation patterns are making forests more susceptible to wildfires.&nbsp;



Over the past few decades, wildfire seasons in Washington and neighboring states have lengthened, and fires have become more intense and harder to control.



Scientists say climate change doesn’t just make fires more likely - it changes the way they behave.&nbsp;



Forests stressed by heat and dry conditions burn faster and hotter, with flames that can leap into tree canopies and travel across areas that would have naturally slowed a fire in the past.&nbsp;



The combination of high winds and dry vegetation can turn small ignitions into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fast-wildfires-are-gaining-even-more-speed/">fires</a> that cover thousands of acres within days.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Bear Gulch Fire rages across Washington forests

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features NGC 1792, a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Columba about 43 million light-years away from Earth.&nbsp;



This galaxy, discovered by British astronomer James Dunlop in 1826, is part of the larger NGC 1808 group of galaxies.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intimate-view-of-ngc-1792">Intimate view of NGC 1792</h2>



“An orange glow radiates from the center of NGC 1792, the heart of this stellar forge. Captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, this intimate view of NGC 1792 gives us some insight into this galactic powerhouse,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



“The vast swathes of tell-tale blue seen throughout the galaxy indicate areas that are full of young, hot stars, and it is in the shades of orange, seen nearer the center, that the older, cooler stars reside.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vigorous-star-formation-nbsp">Vigorous star formation&nbsp;</h2>



NGC 1792 is notable for its vigorous star formation, classifying it as a starburst galaxy. The high rate of star birth is thought to be triggered by gravitational interactions with neighboring galaxies, though the exact cause is still under study.



“Nestled in the constellation of Columba (The Dove), NGC 1792 is both a spiral galaxy, and a starburst galaxy,” said ESA. 



“Within starburst galaxies, stars are forming at comparatively exorbitant rates. The rate of star formation can be more than 10 times faster in a starburst galaxy than in the Milky Way.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fierce-bursts-of-star-formation">Fierce bursts of star formation</h2>



ESA noted that when galaxies have a large reservoir of gas, like NGC 1792, these short-lived starburst phases can be sparked by galactic events such as mergers and tidal interactions.&nbsp;



“One might think that these starburst galaxies would easily consume all of their gas in a large forming event. However, supernova explosions and intense stellar winds produced in these powerful starbursts can inject energy into the gas and disperse it.”&nbsp;



“This halts the star formation before it can completely deplete the galaxy of all its fuel. Scientists are actively working to understand this complex interplay between the dynamics that drive and quench these fierce bursts of star formation.”



Due to its distance and brightness, NGC 1792 can be observed with medium-sized telescopes under favorable conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-evolution-of-galaxies">The evolution of galaxies </h2>



Galaxy evolution refers to the process by which galaxies form and change over time. It begins in the early universe, shortly after the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-observations-disprove-big-bang-theory-universe-began-tired-light-theory/">Big Bang</a>, when small density fluctuations in the primordial gas led to the collapse of matter into the first galaxies. 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-galaxy-mergers">Galaxy mergers</h3>



Early galaxies were small and irregular, and were composed mostly of gas and dark matter. Over billions of years, galaxies grew larger by merging with one another and by accreting gas from the surrounding space.&nbsp;



These interactions often triggered bursts of star formation, and collisions between galaxies sometimes led to the creation of new, more massive galaxies.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-structural-changes">Structural changes</h3>



As galaxies evolve, their morphology - shape and structure - can change. Early galaxies were often irregular or disk-shaped, but over time, many galaxies formed into the elliptical or spiral shapes we see today.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-formation">Star formation</h3>



Star formation is a key driver of galaxy evolution, but it gradually slows down as galaxies age. 



The gas that fuels <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-hole-is-starving-its-host-galaxy-of-star-forming-fuel/">star formation</a> can be used up, or it can be heated and pushed out of galaxies by supernovae or black holes, reducing the galaxy's ability to form new stars.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-galaxy-environment-nbsp">Galaxy environment&nbsp;</h3>



The environment in which a galaxy resides also plays a role in its evolution. Galaxies in dense clusters are more likely to interact with their neighbors, which can alter their shape or trigger bursts of star formation.&nbsp;



In contrast, galaxies in more isolated regions of space evolve more slowly and without as many dramatic interactions.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dark-matter">Dark matter</h3>



Dark matter also plays a crucial role in galaxy evolution. It provides the gravitational framework that holds galaxies together and influences their interactions with one another.&nbsp;



Supermassive <a href="https://www.earth.com/search-results/?search=Galaxies%20merge&amp;start=0">black holes</a>, found at the centers of most large galaxies, can also affect their evolution by releasing energy that impacts star formation and the movement of gas within the galaxy.



Overall, galaxy evolution is a complex and ongoing process driven by interactions between stars, gas, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-dark-matter-does-not-exist-and-the-universe-is-27-billion-years-old/">dark matter</a>, and black holes, and shaped by both internal processes and external influences.



Image Credit: ESA/Hubble &amp; NASA, J. Lee



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Starburst galaxy in the constellation Columba

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

ArtMarie/Getty Images - 1

Caracol has long been a giant in Maya archaeology, yet one key piece was missing: a confirmed royal burial. That changed with the discovery of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/montelirio-tomb-filled-with-the-worlds-largest-collection-of-ancient-beads/">tomb</a> attributed to Te K’ab Chaak, the city’s founding ruler, in the Northeast Acropolis just beside the towering complex of Caana.



Inside, researchers documented rich offerings and human remains that anchor a pivotal moment in early Classic Maya politics. The find links ritual, trade, and power to a single life at the dawn of Caracol’s dynasty.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-maya-s-caracol-the-basics">Understanding Maya's Caracol - the basics</h2>



Caracol emerged as one of the most powerful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-caused-the-maya-collapse-the-answer-was-hidden-in-a-cave/">Maya cities</a>, thriving in the forests of western Belize during the Classic Period between 250 and 900 CE. 



At its height, the city supported more than 100,000 inhabitants, making it larger than many urban centers in Europe at the time. 



Its rulers oversaw the construction of monumental architecture, including sprawling plazas, ceremonial ball courts, and the towering Caana, or “<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caracol" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sky Palace</a>,” which remains one of the tallest structures in Belize. 



Caracol’s influence extended far beyond its borders, cemented in 562 CE when it defeated the rival city of Tikal, a turning point that reshaped regional politics in the Maya lowlands.



The city’s dominance, however, was not permanent. By the ninth century, Caracol began to falter under the combined pressures of warfare, shifting alliances, and environmental stress. Its once-thriving population dwindled, and the urban core was eventually abandoned.



Dense jungle concealed the remnants of Caracol for centuries until archaeologists brought it back into view in the twentieth century.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-this-tomb-matters">Why this tomb matters</h2>



Arlen F. Chase and Diane Z. Chase of the University of Houston (<a href="https://www.uh.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UH</a>) lead the Caracol <a href="https://caracol.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Archaeological Project</a> and have worked in the city for over four decades. Their names are inseparable from Caracol’s map, methods, and debates.



“They’ve found a very early ruler, so that’s very important, and he’s claimed to be the founder of a dynasty. That’s a major find,” said <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/about/staff/profile/gary-feinman" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gary Feinman</a>, an archaeologist at the <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Field Museum of Chicago</a>, in an interview with the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York Times</a>.



This is the first identified royal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/egyptian-pharaohs-long-lost-tomb-located-after-3500-years/">tomb</a> at Caracol since formal excavations began, and it anchors Te K’ab Chaak’s name to physical evidence at the site. 



The discovery resolves a long gap between inscriptions and the ground record that specialists have wrestled with for years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-royal-life-in-objects">A royal life in objects</h2>



The chamber held eleven ceramic vessels, carved bone tubes, three sets of jadeite earflares, Pacific <a href="https://bioone.org/journals/journal-of-shellfish-research/volume-35/issue-2/035.035.0203/Spondylids-of-Eastern-Pacific-Ocean/10.2983/035.035.0203.full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spondylus</a> shells, and a mosaic death mask, while the remains indicate an elderly individual about 5 feet 7 inches tall with no remaining teeth.



One lid carried a modeled coatimundi head and a bowl bore a portrait of Ek Chuah, the Maya god of trade. Another vessel featured an owl, and several bowls displayed bound captives, a stark signal of status and warfare.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/caracol_kings-tomb_pottery-discovery_credit-UH_1m.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/caracol_kings-tomb_pottery-discovery_credit-UH_1s.webp" alt="One of the pottery vessels features a handle resembling a coatimundi at Caracol. Credit: University of Houston" class="wp-image-1982468"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">One of the pottery vessels features a handle resembling a coatimundi at Caracol. Click image to enlarge. Credit: University of Houston</figcaption></figure>



Red cinnabar, a mercury sulfide mineral used as a vivid pigment, coated the walls and offerings near the body. In Classic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-caused-the-maya-collapse-the-answer-was-hidden-in-a-cave/">Maya</a> mortuary contexts, that kind of saturation tracks closely with elite burials and royal image-making.



The mask, built from dozens of cut jade and shell pieces, is now being reconstructed. Its placement beside ear ornaments and tubular beads carved with living and skeletal monkeys hints at a carefully staged funerary program.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-early-classic-crossroads">The early classic crossroads</h2>



The burial dates to the Early Classic, a period when ties between the Maya lowlands and Teotihuacán in central Mexico widened, including the well known <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2218315120" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">entrada</a> recorded in 378 C.E. that reshaped alliances across Mesoamerica.



“We knew there was a body in there. We could see vessels; we could see red cinnabar,” said Arlen F. Chase, professor of anthropology at the University of Houston. 



In the same account, he explains that the team first peered through a small opening before confirming the chamber’s extraordinary contents.



Material and style link Caracol’s royal circle to far reaching exchange during this era. Those connections help explain how a founder king could marshal prestige goods and imagery to consolidate authority inside a growing city.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-caracol-s-maya-cityscape">Rethinking Caracol’s Maya cityscape</h2>



Remote sensing with <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3420181/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LiDAR</a>, a laser based mapping method that penetrates forest canopy, revealed Caracol’s vast causeways, terraces, and settlement structure years before this tomb came to light. That work reframed the city as an integrated urban landscape rather than a cluster of isolated monuments.



Caana, Caracol’s central architectural complex, rises about 143 feet above its southern plaza, and its summit hosted restricted plazas and temples where rulership was performed and guarded. In physical terms, this tomb sits in the neighborhood of that power.



Urban form matters for interpretation. A founder’s burial beside the core complex underscores how early rulers tied ancestry, ritual, and city planning into a single political message.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-team-found-the-chamber">How the team found the chamber</h2>



The archaeologists reopened a burial they had investigated in 1993, cut through the floor, and immediately encountered an earlier chamber beneath it.



Stratigraphy and artifact style lined up with the earliest recorded ruler at Caracol. Context, rather than a name carved in the room, makes the identification persuasive and places the burial at the birth of the dynasty.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adding-to-the-mayan-mythology">Adding to the Mayan mythology</h2>



The carved bones, captives on bowls, and trader god iconography capture a leader fluent in warfare, diplomacy, and exchange. That blend fits a founder king establishing reach beyond his capital.



It also nudges the timeline of central Mexican engagement with the lowlands. Evidence from Caracol suggests ties that predate the famous 378 C.E. moment, not a simple story of sudden outside domination.



The team is reconstructing the jadeite mask and running ancient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dna-from-9000-year-old-skeletons-disproves-migratory-waves-theory-from-south-africa/">DNA</a> and stable isotope analyses on the bones, work that will refine age, origins, and life history. 



The results will situate Caracol’s new evidence inside a broader conversation about early Classic power and networks.



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First king of Caracol's tomb has been discovered, one of the most powerful Maya cities

Caracol has long been a giant in Maya archaeology, yet...

Parallel,Universe,Science,Theory,Illustration

Quantum entanglement is incredibly difficult to understand, even scientists, but a new study shows it follows the same basic playbook no matter how many dimensions you consider. The authors used a tool called thermal effective theory to pin down universal behavior in a precise limit.



This matters because quantum entanglement sits at the heart of quantum <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evidence-of-negative-time-observed-measured-in-new-quantum-physics-experiments/">computing</a>, secure communication, and error correction, and theorists have chased clean statements about it for decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-universal-law-of-quantum-entanglement-nbsp">Universal law of quantum entanglement&nbsp;</h2>



The team proves that a standard measure called <a href="https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/fsg7-bs7q" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rényi entropy</a> has a universal form when the replica number n is small, and the boundary of the region you study is spherical. 



<a href="https://ias.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/staff/view.php?cId=774&amp;divi=4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yuya Kusuki</a> of the Kyushu University Institute for Advanced Study led the work with <a href="https://ooguri.caltech.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hirosi Ooguri</a> at Caltech and the University of Tokyo’s Kavli <a href="https://www.ipmu.jp/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IPMU</a>, and <a href="https://www.pma.caltech.edu/people/sridip-pal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sridip Pal</a> at Caltech.



“This study is the first example of applying thermal effective theory to quantum <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/particle-that-could-change-quantum-computing-neglectons-ising-anyon-braiding/">information</a>. The results of this study demonstrate the usefulness of this approach, and we hope to further develop this approach to gain a deeper understanding of quantum entanglement structures,” said Kusuki.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-entanglement-a-simple-way-to-grasp-this-impossible-concept-carl-kocher/">In plain terms</a>, the small-n behavior depends on a single constant from the effective theory and on the area of the region’s boundary. 



That combination holds in any number of spacetime dimensions that admit a <a href="https://www.damtp.cam.ac.uk/user/tong/string/string4.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conformal field theory</a> description.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-quantum-entanglement-matters">Why quantum entanglement matters</h2>



Most exact results about entanglement come from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-material-could-make-computers-1000-times-faster/">systems</a> with one space dimension plus time. Moving to higher dimensions complicates everything because shape, curvature, and boundary effects start to pull their weight.



There is a silver lining. Many quantum systems obey an area law where entanglement <a href="https://journals.aps.org/rmp/abstract/10.1103/RevModPhys.82.277" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scales</a> with boundary size, not bulk volume, and this feature underwrites efficient simulation strategies in practice. The new paper strengthens the theoretical footing for that kind of scaling in a controlled limit.



By nailing down which parts are universal and which parts are model specific, the authors also map where numerical methods might safely cut corners. That saves time and reduces the chance of chasing artifacts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-renyi-entropy-s-role">Renyi entropy's role</h2>



Rényi entropy is a family of numbers that summarize how a quantum <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-form-of-quantum-entanglement-discovered-will-transform-next-gen-technology/">state</a> spreads its weight across possibilities. The label n is the replica number (the parameter n that labels different orders of Rényi entropy in quantum information theory), and different n emphasize different parts of the distribution.



For entanglement, we compute Rényi entropies for a subregion A to see how strongly it links to everything else. From those values you can extract the <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2202.13343" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">entanglement spectrum</a>, which is the set of effective energy levels for the reduced state.



Those levels come from the <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2306.14732" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">modular Hamiltonian</a>, the operator whose exponential gives the reduced density matrix once you normalize it. Large eigenvalues of that operator control fine structure in the spectrum and, by extension, the way information is encoded.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thermal-effective-theory">Thermal effective theory </h2>



<a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2207.00534" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thermal effective theory</a> treats a complicated quantum field theory as if it were a simpler thermal system, but with a carefully chosen set of parameters that capture the key physics. 



In the small-n regime those parameters collapse to a short list, which is why clean formulas appear.



Armed with that framework, the authors estimate how many entanglement levels lie above a given threshold. 



That calculation echoes the famous <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0550321386905523" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cardy formula</a> that counts states in 2D conformal field theory, now repurposed for quantum entanglement features in more than two dimensions.



The approach also separates bulk contributions from boundary terms, and it shows how boundary effects slip in one order lower in n. 



That hierarchy helps clarify which pieces are robust and which are sensitive to details like surface curvature.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-2d-systems-differ">How 2D systems differ </h2>



Two-dimensional systems often allow exact answers thanks to symmetry, and the small-n story here connects to a stronger result that holds for all positive n. 



In 2D you can use a “hot spot” trick that focuses on regions where the effective temperature soars, and the method delivers full-n formulas.



The new paper explains why that trick stops working the same way in higher dimensions. Curvature and derivatives of the effective temperature do not stay small near the boundary, so higher-order terms refuse to be ignored.



That does not spoil universality in the small-n limit, which remains intact. It simply draws a clean line between what 2D symmetry guarantees and what higher-D physics permits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-a-bridge-to-gravity">Building a bridge to gravity</h2>



Sharper control of Rényi entropies can guide tensor-network and <a href="https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/monte-carlo-simulation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monte Carlo</a> methods for <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/quantum-theory-of-motion/manybody-systems/33E7355EFAED8AEA0D9AF2D4D582D883" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">many-body</a> systems, especially when geometry matters. If you know which terms dominate at small-n, you can target algorithms and set error bars with more confidence.



There is also a bridge to gravity. Rényi entropies play an active role in holographic <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms12472" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">calculations</a> that relate quantum field theories to gravity in higher-dimensional spacetimes, where a geometric prescription translates entropies into areas of special surfaces.



The work hints at new classification ideas for phases of matter, since universal data tied to shape and boundary can act like fingerprints. 



It may also sharpen the language we use to compare quantum simulators and real materials without getting lost in model-specific weeds.



The study is published in <a href="https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/fsg7-bs7q" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Physical Review Letters</a>.



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Quantum entanglement follows universal rules across all dimensions

Quantum entanglement is incredibly difficult to understand, even scientists, but...

High in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra, flashes of orange hair move between the trees. Orangutans spend most of their lives in the canopy - navigating branches, building nests, and raising young in one of the most complex ecosystems on Earth. 



Watching them is like catching a reflection of ourselves - their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/orangutan-mothers-have-unique-parenting-styles-like-humans/">intelligence</a>, habits, and even their struggles often resemble our own. Yet, despite these connections, orangutans are slipping toward extinction.



World Orangutan Day on August 19 highlights this urgent reality. The day serves as a reminder that saving orangutans goes hand in hand with protecting their forests - and safeguarding the climate we all rely on.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-orangutans-and-forests">Protecting orangutans and forests</h2>



Orangutans live in the forests of Borneo and Sumatra. They act as gardeners of the jungle. By eating fruit and scattering seeds, they help forests regenerate. 



Without them, many plant species would vanish, and the ecosystems tied to them would weaken.



Healthy forests do more than shelter wildlife. They absorb carbon, regulate climate, and provide clean water. Protecting orangutans means protecting the same systems that humans depend on.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smarter-communication-than-expected">Smarter communication than expected</h2>



Orangutans continue to surprise scientists. Just when we think we understand them, new research proves otherwise. A recent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/orangutans-use-complex-vocal-patterns-found-in-human-language/">study</a> from <a href="https://warwick.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The University of Warwick</a> revealed that Sumatran orangutans use recursive vocal patterns when sounding alarm calls. 



Recursion is a language tool that allows ideas to be nested within other ideas, creating layered meaning. Humans rely on it constantly in speech and writing, but until recently, scientists assumed it was uniquely human. 



The discovery that orangutans use recursion forces us to rethink how we define language and how it is used throughout the animal kingdom.



Another study used machine learning to analyze the calls of Bornean orangutans. Researchers discovered three distinct pulse types hidden in their long calls. Each pulse seems to serve a different role, giving their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experts-unlock-the-mysteries-of-orangutan-communication/">communication</a> more depth than expected.



For years, people described orangutan calls as simple. This evidence shows otherwise. Their vocal world is structured, varied, and much more sophisticated than we realized.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-conservation-emergency">The conservation emergency</h2>



Orangutans mirror human behavior in unexpected ways. One study describes how they recover from poor <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/orangutans-manage-sleep-much-like-humans-do/">sleep</a> by napping during the day. They even build quick daytime nests for rest. This pattern looks remarkably similar to how humans catch up on lost sleep.



Despite their intelligence and adaptability, orangutans face steep decline. Populations have fallen by more than half in the past century. 



Palm oil plantations replace diverse forests with monoculture crops. Illegal logging cuts deep into jungles. Poachers kill mothers to steal infants for the pet trade.



As their habitats shrink, orangutans crowd into smaller areas. This increases stress, reduces food, and creates conflict with humans. Without intervention, they could disappear in a matter of decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-actions-to-protect-orangutans">Actions to protect orangutans</h2>



There are many ways individuals can help protect orangutans. Opting for products made with certified sustainable palm oil is one approach. Supporting rescue centers through donations is another. 



You can even virtually <a href="https://www.theorangutanproject.org/donate/?referrer_source=GADUS_GENERIC&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=13240991473&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwwZDFBhCpARIsAB95qO3vTJ075IBt6pMnMSn9C_e0WVyfcGdiW25dHR7bmkwMgaqtFtLPMqMaAmINEALw_wcB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adopt</a> an orangutan to help cover their food and medical care.



Responsible tourism can make a difference. Visiting orangutan habitats can help support local communities and demonstrates that intact forests are far more valuable than cleared land.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-progress-worth-noting">Progress worth noting</h2>



There are signs of hope. Rehabilitation centers in Borneo and Sumatra rescue orphaned orangutans and teach them survival skills. Some of these animals are now living free in the wild again.



Governments and conservation groups are also creating protected areas and linking them with wildlife corridors. These corridors let orangutans move safely between forest patches. 



Meanwhile, local communities are exploring sustainable crops that do not destroy rainforests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-purpose-of-world-orangutan-day">Purpose of World Orangutan Day </h2>



Orangutans cannot fight for themselves. They cannot confront corporations or push for laws. That responsibility falls on us. 



Protecting these animals is not just about saving one species. It is about defending the rainforests that regulate climate and sustain life across the globe.



The science is clear, and the threats are well known. What matters now is commitment. Governments need to enforce environmental protections. Businesses must clean up supply chains. People everywhere can support conservation and make smarter choices.



On World Orangutan Day 2025, one truth is clear: orangutans matter. The real challenge is turning that awareness into action - before it’s too late to save them and the forests they call home.



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World Orangutan Day 2025: Turning awareness into action

High in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra, flashes of...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Scientists Crack the Code on Protein Behind 75% of Cancers" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JynHpMaNO8A?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chaotic cancer protein finally controlled after decades of mystery</figcaption></figure>



In a discovery that can one day revolutionize cancer treatment, researchers at the <a href="https://www.ucr.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Riverside</a> have successfully developed a means of controlling MYC, a notoriously slippery protein that causes approximately <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chaotic-protein-that-fuels-75-of-cancers-can-be-controlled/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">75% of all cancers in humans</a>.



MYC presents a unique challenge in the case of cancer studies. Under normal circumstances, the protein is an important constituent of cell function, controlling precisely the transcription process that converts genetic information from DNA and RNA to eventually becoming proteins. In cancer cells, however, MYC is a destructive force, acting in overdrive mode with no regulation.



&#8220;MYC is less of a food for cancer cells and more of a steroid that induces cancer&#8217;s aggressive growth,&#8221; explains Professor Min Xue, who headed the research team. This superactive trait makes MYC a suspect in three out of every four instances of cancer, but aiming at it has been one of medicine&#8217;s biggest challenges.



The biggest challenge is the novel architecture—or complete lack thereof—of MYC. In Professor Xue&#8217;s words, the protein is &#8220;basically a glob of randomness,&#8221; and so can&#8217;t be targeted with conventional drug discovery technologies that rely on sharply defined protein structures.



The novel strategy by the UCR research team was to design a peptide molecule that would selectively bind and block MYC&#8217;s destructive activity. By fine-tuning the stiffness and shape of the peptide, researchers were able to achieve what is known as sub-micro-molar affinity, or binding capacity equal to that of antibodies.



The accomplishment is a brilliant bound past previous attempts, and the researchers have enhanced their peptide&#8217;s binding affinity by two orders of magnitude. The work is now significantly closer to reaching the practical drug development goals.



The researchers are presently optimizing peptide-delivery systems based on lipid nanoparticles that deliver the peptide effectively into cancer cells. The study was funded by the<a href="https://www.nih.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> National Institutes of Health</a> and the <a href="https://www.defense.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Department of Defense</a> and appeared in the Journal of the <a href="https://www.acs.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Chemical Society</a>. This research offers renewed hope against cancer, and it can potentially open a door to more effective cancer therapies for most cancer patients worldwide.







&#8212;&#8211;



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Peptide controls protein fueling 3 out of 4 cancers

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