new horizons deep space stellar navigation

New Horizons Demonstrates First Deep-Space Stellar Navigation via Parallax 5.5 Billion Miles from Earth

A Historic First in Deep-Space Navigation

Proof-of-Concept from the Kuiper Belt

NASA's New Horizons spacecraft journeyed through the Kuiper Belt over 5.5 billion miles from Earth, an international team of astronomers carried out a landmark experiment—successfully demonstrating deep-space stellar navigation for the first time.

Publication and Documentation

The team's findings have been documented in a paper accepted for publication by The Astronomical Journal, with a preliminary version available via arXiv.

Observing Stellar Parallax from Interstellar Frontiers

Capturing Proxima Centauri and Wolf 359

As a proof-of-concept, the researchers utilized the spacecraft's distinctive position on its journey toward interstellar space to capture images of two nearby stars:

1. Proxima Centauri, located 4.2 light-years from Earth.
2. Wolf 359, situated 7.86 light-years away.

Measuring with 3D Stellar Models

From the vantage point of New Horizons, the two nearby stars appeared to shift their positions in the sky relative to how they are seen from Earth—a phenomenon referred to as stellar parallax.

Navigation Accuracy Achieved

By using the star's positions alongside a three-dimensional model of the local solar environment, the team determined the spacecraft's location relative to nearby stars with an accuracy of approximately 4.1 million miles—equivalent to pinpointing a spot within 26 inches on a journey from New York to Los Angeles.

Educational Insights over Research Precision

The Value of Visual Learning

Although the experiment fell short of yielding data suitable for formal research, the team highlight the clear educational benefit of observing significant stellar parallax from widely separated vantage points.

A Firsthand Experience of Space Physics

Tod Lauer, an astronomer at NSF's NOIRLab in Tucson, Arizona and lead author of the study, explained: "By capturing simultaneous images from Earth and the spacecraft, we aimed to make the concept of stellar parallax immediately and strikingly clear."

"Knowing something abstractly is all well and good—but witnessing it firsthand and saying, 'Look at that—it actually works!' is quite different."

New Horizons Past and Future Missions

Pluto and Charon Exploration

New Horizons is the fifth robotic probe launched from Earth destined to enter interstellar space. Its principal mission was to explore Pluto and its largest moon, Charon.

Ongoing Study of the Hellopause

After travelling over 3 billion miles across nine and a half years, the probe captured breathtaking initial images of these frozen worlds, greatly enhancing our knowledge of their structure, makeup and thin atmospheric layers.

Approaching the Termination Shock

As part of its extended mission, New Horizons is set to continue its study of the hellosphere and is likely to traverse the "termination shock", the boundary marking the edge of interstellar space, in the near future.

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NASA's New Horizons spacecraft has made history by proving stellar navigation deep beyond Pluto—offering a glimpse into the future of interstellar exploration. Witness how scientists used stellar parallax to track position billions of miles away.

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zero temperature symmetry breaking quantum chip

Quantum Leap: Zero-Temperature Symmetry Breaking Simulated on a Superconducting Quantum Chip

Landmark Quantum Experiment at Absolute Zero

For the first occasion, an international consortium of scientists has successfully replicated spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB) at absolute zero on a superconducting quantum processor—achieving a fidelity exceeding 80% and marking a landmark in both quantum computing and condensed-matter physics.

The findings have been published in the journal Nature Communications.

A Collaborative Breakthrough in Quantum Computing

Beginning in a classical antiferromagnetic phase—with alternating spin orientations—the system later transformed into a ferromagnetic quantum phase, marked by uniformly aligned spins and the formation of quantum correlations.

From Anti-ferromagnetism to Quantum Ferromagnetism

"The system initially exhibited a flip-flop spin arrangement, which spontaneously evolved into a state where all spins aligned in the same direction. This transition, driven by symmetry breaking," was explained by Alan Santos—a physicist at the Institute of Fundamental Physics, CSIC and a co-leader of the theoretical team.

Alan Santos Explains the Transition Mechanism

At the time this work was carried out, Santos held a FAPESP postdoctoral fellowship at the Department of Physics, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Paulo Brazil. The research was a collaborative effort involving scientists from UFSCar, the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, China and Aarhus University in Denmark.

Theoretical Insights and Zero Temperature Modeling

Why Absolute Zero Cannot Be Physically Achieved

"The key breakthrough lay in simulating the dynamics at absolute zero," Santos explains. "Although similar transitions had been studied previously, they were always at non-zero temperatures. What we demonstrated is that, at zero temperature, symmetry breaking can occur even in local interactions between neighbouring particles."

It bears recalling that absolute zero is unattainable in practice, as it would require every particle in a material to be perfectly motionless. Instead, the team modelled the system's behaviour at this limit using quantum computing.

The Seven-Qubit Circuit Design and Experiment Execution

Their experiment deployed a seven-qubit circuit arranged so that only nearest-neighbour interactions occurred and an algorithm was run to emulate adiabatic evolution at zero temperature.

"We developed the circuit conceptually and it was the researchers in China who brought it to life in the laboratory," say Santos.

Detecting Quantum Phase Transition

The Role of Correlation Functions and Rényi Entropy

The phase transition was detected through correlation functions and Rényi entropy, which indicated the emergence of ordered structures and quantum entanglement.

Understanding Quantum Entanglement

Entanglement, a hallmark of quantum mechanics, describes a condition where two particles remain linked in such a way that the state of one immediately determines the state of the order, irrespective of the distance between them.

Rényi Entropy as a Diagnostic Tool

Rényi entropy, first proposed in the 1960s by Hungarian mathematician Alfréd R ényi (1921-1970), serves as a tool to assess the extent and distribution of entanglement within a quantum system. It enables us to gauge how strongly subsystems are entangled.

Superposition and Entanglement in Quantum Computing

Comparing Classical vs Quantum performance

According to Santos, the twin pillars of quantum computing are superposition and entanglement: "Superposition permits a quantum system to exist in multiple states at the same time, a property referred to as quantum parallelism. Entanglement represents a kind of correlation unattainable by classical machines."

Santos explains: "Think of having a number of keys and trying to discover which unlocks a door. A conventional computer would test each one in turn. A quantum computer, however, can try multiple keys at once, making the search far quicker."

Simulating Quantum Systems with Quantum Hardware

the practical difference between classical and quantum computers is primarily one of performance. Though both are theoretically capable of solving the same types of mathematical problems, the time required can differ dramatically. For instance, factoring large numbers into primes may take a classical computer millions of years, whereas a quantum system could achieve it far more swiftly.

Using a classical computer to simulate quantum systems can seem counter-intuitive and in some cases, it is entirely unfeasible. The study demonstrated, however, that such simulations can be effectively performed using quantum computing resources.

Significance of the Research Location and Qubit Implementation

Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen

The experiment took place at the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen—now regarded as one of the world's foremost centres of science, technology and industry. Designated China's first "special economic zone" in 1980, the city has transformed from a modest fishing village of 30,000 into a thriving metropolis or more than 17 million and hosts global market-leading firms.

Scalability of Superconducting Qubits

Superconducting qubits, composed of aluminium and niobium alloys and operating at roughly one millikelvin, were employed the implementation. "Their key advantage is scalability. In principle, we can manufactures chips containing hundreds," says Santos.

Symmetry and Its Foundational Role in Physics

How Symmetry and Its Breaking Shape Physical Laws

The notion of symmetry breaking is fundamental across every branch of physics. In fact, the entire framework of physics is built upon symmetries and the ways in which they are broken.

"Symmetry underpins the laws of conservation, while symmetry breaking enables the emergence of complex structures," explains Santos.

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lost babylonian hymn rediscovered using AI

AI and Archaeology Reunite to Rediscover Lost Babylonian Hymn After 1,000 Years

Discovery of a Forgotten Babylonian Text

During a collaborative project with the University of Baghdad, LMU's Enrique Jiménez uncovered a text thought lost for a millennium. The findings appear in the journal Iraq.

"This remarkable hymn paints Babylon in majestic detail while shedding light on the everyday lives of its people, both male and female," says Jiménez.

Historical and Cultural Significance of Babylon

Babylon was established in Mesopotamia circa 2000 BCE. Once the world's most populous city, it flourished as a cultural hub producing literary works now integral to global heritage.

The Sippar Library and Cuneiform Preservation

Babylonian texts, inscribed in cuneiform on clay tablets, have largely come down to us in fragmentary form. A key aim of the University of Baghdad collaboration is to decipher and safeguard hundreds of tablets from the renowned Sippar Library—rumoured in legend to have been hidden by Noah before the flood.

AI-Powered Restoration of the Hymn

Enrique Jiménez is working via the Electronic Babylonian Library Platform to digitize the world's known cuneiform fragments and harness AI to identify matching texts.

"Through our AI-assisted platform, we succeeded in identifying 30 further manuscripts belonging to the rediscovered hymn—a task that might once have required decades," remarked Jiménez. Professor of Ancient Near Eastern Literatures at LMU's Institute of Assyriology. With these sources, the team was able to reconstruct the fully hymn, previously incomplete.

Hymn Sheds Fresh Light on Babylonian Urban Life

Widespread Use and Educational Role

The abundance of surviving copies indicates that the text enjoyed wide circulation in its day.

"The hymn was evidently used in school settings, copied by children. It is quite remarkable that such a widely circulated text had eluded modern scholarship," remarks Jiménez.

Poetic Description of Babylon and the Euphrates

the paean is thought to date from the early first millennium BC and extends to some 250 lines in length.

"It was composed by a Babylonian intent on extolling his city. He details not only its architecture but also the life-giving role of the Euphrates, which ushers in spring and revitalizes the fields. This is particularly striking, given the general scarcity of nature depictions in Mesopotamian texts," notes Jiménez.

Surprising Insights into Babylonian Women

Details concerning the women of Babylon—their duties as priestesses and related responsibilities—have greatly surprised scholars, as no such accounts were previously recorded. The hymns also illuminate aspects of city life, portraying the populace as courteous towards outsiders.

Location and Legacy of Ancient Babylon

The ancient ruins of Babylon lie approximately 85 kilometers south of Baghdad, Iraq's capital, and are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Passage from the Recently Unearthed Hymn

Excerpt Praising the River Euphrates

The excerpt below is taken from the newly unearthed hymn. It portrays the river Euphrates, alongside which Babylon once stood:

The Euphrates is her scared stream—set in place by the sagacious lord Nudimmud—

It quenches the lea, saturates the canebrake,

It pours forth its waters into both lagoon and sea,

its meadows flourish with fragrant herbs and blooming flowers,

Its blooming meadows yield fair shoots of barley,

From thence the harvest is gathered and sheaves are neatly stacked,

Herds and flocks rest upon the green and grassy meads,

Riches and glory—worthy of humankind—

Bestowed in plenty, multiplied and conferred with royal grace.

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new superheavy isotope nuclear stability

New Superheavy Isotope ²⁵⁷Sg Sheds Light on Nuclear Stability and K-Isomers

Unveiling ²⁵⁷Sg: A New Window into Nuclear Stability

A recent publication in Physical Review Letters details the discovery of a new superheavy isotope, ²⁵⁷Sg (seaborgium), by researchers at GSI Helmholtzzentrum, offering fresh perspectives on the nuclear stability and fission behaviour of the heaviest elements.

Superheavy elements occupy a finely tuned equilibrium between the nuclear force binding protons and neutrons and the electromagnetic force driving protons apart.

Were it not for quantum shell effects—akin to electron shells in atoms—these colossal nuclei would disintegrate in under a trillionth of a second.

Publisher website interviewed Dr. Pavol Mosat and Dr. J. Khuyagbaatar, co-authors of the study from GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung in Germany, regarding their research.

The findings highlight gaps in our understanding of extreme atomic nuclei, hinting that the quantum forces preventing their rapid disintegration may function in unexpected ways.

Exploring the Nature of Nuclear Stability

Synthesis of ²⁵⁷Sg Using Fusion Reactions

To create the isotope ²⁵⁷Sg, the international team utilized fusion reactions between chromium-52 and lead-206 within GSIs TASCA recoil separator.

The researchers discovered that the new isotope survives for 12.6 milliseconds—outlasting its even-even neighbour, ²⁵⁸Sg—and decays via both spontaneous fission and alpha emission.

Alpha Decay and Fission of Daughter Isotopes

The alpha decay route offered especially valuable insights. Following alpha emission, ²⁵⁷Sg becomes ²⁵³Rf (rutherfordium), which proceeds to fission in a mere 11 microseconds.

This observation aligns with recent studies that have cast doubt on the conventional view of angular momentum's role in fission. Although it was long thought that higher K quantum numbers would strongly hinder fission, new data point to a more intricate relationship.

"We examined the isotopes ²⁵⁷Sg and ²⁵³Rf and observed that K-quantum numbers generally impede fission," Mosat explained. "That said, the precise degree of this hindrance remains undermined."

Discovery of the First K-Isomer in Seaborgium

Arguably of even greater importance was the team's identification of the first K-isomeric state in a seaborgium isotope. These K-isomers are unusual nuclear arrangements with elevated angular momentum that exhibit a marked resistance to fission compared to typical nuclear states.

In the case of ²⁵⁹Sg, the researchers observed a conversion electron signal emerging 40 microseconds after the nucleus formed—clear evidence of a K-isomeric state potentially hundreds of times more stable against fission than the ground state.

"K-isomeric states have previously been observed in superheavy elements like ²⁵²⁻²⁵⁷Rf and ²⁷⁰Ds," remarked Khuyagbaatar. "However, this marks the first time such a state has been identified exclusively in isotopes of seaborgium, which contain 106 protons."

This discovery addresses a significant gap in our understanding of superheavy elements and may prove pivotal in guiding future element searches.

Towards Understanding the 'Island of Stability'

The discovery arrives at a pivotal moment for research into superheavy elements.

Scientists have long pursued the so-called "Island of Stability"—a hypothetical region where superheavy nuclei might enjoy extended lifetimes thanks to favourable shell structures. Yet the latest findings imply that this picture may be more intricate than previously believed.

"It is possible that a superheavy nucleus—say, an isotope of an as-yet-undiscovered element—may survive for less than a microsecond," said Khuyagbaatar.

In such a scenario, the path to discovering element 120 could be fraught with complications in terms of separation and detection. Nonetheless, the existence of a K-isomer in this nucleus might extend its longevity, as seen in our recent finding with ²⁵²Rf.

The researchers believe that the as-yet-undiscovered ²⁵⁶Sg may possess a half-life far shorter than current models predict —possibly falling from six microseconds to merely one nanosecond.

Such a marked difference in nuclear stability would offer a valuable new perspective within the field of nuclear physics.

Barriers to Implementation and Next Steps

Challenges in Detecting Millisecond-Lived Nuclei

Achieving this result entailed surmounting considerable technical hurdles. Detecting nuclei with lifespans of only milliseconds required exceptionally rapid systems and finely tuned timing.

"For short-lived nuclei, it is essential to employ a compact separator and more importantly, rapid digital electronics capable of resolving decay signals to around 100 nanoseconds," said Khuyagbaatar.

Future Plans for ²⁵⁶Sg and K-Isomeric States

The team at GSI developed bespoke digital electronics that have played a vital role in several superheavy element discoveries.

The researchers now aim to synthesize ²⁵⁶Sg in order to determine whether the anticipated sharp decline in stability truly manifests.

"Indeed, we intend to pursue further investigations into long-lived K-isomeric states in superheavy nuclei," Mosat stated. "Our immediate objective is to attempt the synthesis of the next unknown isotope, ²⁵⁶Sg."

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superconducting magnets gravitational wave detectors

Superconducting Magnets Could Detect Gravitational Waves in Unexplored Frequency Bands

Superconducting Magnets as Gravitational Wave Detectors

New findings reported in Physical Review Letters propose that superconducting magnets, typically employed in dark matter detection, could serve as exquisitely sensitive gravitational wave detectors—paving the way for exploring a previously inaccessible frequency band.

Revisiting the Weber Bar Concept

This idea builds upon the original Weber bar design of the 1960s, wherein Joseph Weber suggested detecting gravitational waves via the mechanical resonance of large metal cylinders.

While Weber's method proved effective at specific resonant frequencies, it suffered from diminished sensitivity beyond those limited ranges.

This research builds upon the concept, revealing that DC magnets may act as magnetic Weber bars capable of sensing gravitational waves within the kilohertz to megahertz band.

Expert Insights and Research Collaboration

Publishing website interviewed Dr. Sebastian Ellis of the University og Geneva, who co-authored the study alongside Valerie Domcke of CERN and Nicholas L. Rodd of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

"What we realized is that although the Weber Bar idea performs admirably when the gravitational wave frequency aligns closely with a resonant mode, it proves far less effective outside that range." Ellis told publishing website. "It's akin to an instrument that plays beautifully in tune, but dreadfully out of key."

Harnessing Magnetic Energy for Detection

This novel magnetic technique tackles the core limitation by harnessing the vast magnetic energy stored within superconducting magnets—far surpassing the electrical energy used in conventional Weber bar readouts.

Exploring How Magnetic Fields Respond to Gravitational Wave Disturbances

The Mechanism Behind the Detection

The detection method is based on an ingenious two-stage interplay between gravitational waves and magnetic fields.

As a gravitational wave traverses a superconducting magnet, it triggers minuscule vibrations throughout the structure, much like the subtle shifts seen in LIGO's mirrors.

"As a gravitational wave traverses the magnet, it sets the entire structure vibrating, much like a mechanical force would," said Ellis.

"This vibration distorts the framework housing the current-carrying wire, thereby giving rise to a magnetic field."

Role of SQUIDs and Electromagnetic Readout

Such deformations give rise to a fluctuating magnetic field, which can be identified through exceptionally sensitive quantum sensors known as SQUIDs.

A pickup loop, functioning as a magnetic antenna and positioned near the end of the magnet, can detect the subtle magnetic fluctuations and convert gravitational wave signals into electromagnetic measurements.

Advantages Over Conventional Techniques

This method presents numerous significant benefits when compared with conventional techniques.

Magnetic Weber bars, unlike their conventional counterparts, generate purely electromagnetic signals without the need for complex mechanical conversion, reducing noise and offering wide-ranging frequency responsiveness.

Employing Dark Matter Experiments in the Search for Gravitational Waves

Researchers have drawn attention to potent magnets designed for axion dark matter investigations, notably DMRadio and the ADMX-EFR initiative.

These experiments employ vast superconducting magnets capable of probing both dark matter and gravitational waves at once.

"The chief merit of the magnets destined for axion dark matter experiments lies in their immense magnetic energy—they boast strong fields and considerable size," Ellis remarked.

"As we noted in our publication, it is the electromagnetic energy that chiefly governs the off-resonance sensitivity of a Weber bar—be it magnetic or conventional."

Sensitivity Compared to LIGO

According to the researchers, the sensitivity of these MRI magnets may not quite match LIGO at its best, yet they span a far more extensive frequency range, from a few kilohertz to nearly 10 megahertz.

Importantly, the system would exhibit superior sensitivity to LIGO above a few kilohertz, effectively carving out a new observational frequency band.

Expanding Our Cosmic Outlook

This frequency band remains largely unexplored within the realm of gravitational wave astronomy.

The study stemmed from the realization that current and forthcoming axion experiments already featured ideal infrastructure for detecting gravitational waves.

"It occurred to us that the sizable magnets employed in axion research—both ongoing and planned —might also serve in gravitational wave searches," said Ellis.

"We were hopeful that detecting two signals, rather than just one, would bolster the scientific justification for conducting these experiments."

Technical Challenges and Future Directions

Turning this concept into a functioning detector will demand surmounting notable technical challenges—chief among them, shielding the apparatus from ambient vibrations that could imitate gravitational wave signals.

"The apparatus must be exceptionally well shielded from ambient vibrations," Ellis remarked.

"This necessity closely mirrors the challenges encountered by LIGO and classical Weber Bars like the 2-tonne AURIGA. Their success in isolating these instruments gives us cause for optimism."

Toward Enhanced Sensitivity and Broader Collaboration

The researchers are broadening their collaborative efforts and focusing on particular gravitational wave signatures detectable by functioning magnetic Weber bars. They are also investigating cutting-edge quantum sensors beyond SQUIDs to boost sensitivity.

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zombie fungus fossils ophiocordyceps

Zombie Fungus Fossils Reveal 133-Million Evolutionary Secretes of Ophiocordyceps

Fossilized Fungi Provide Earliest Evidence of Insect-Fungal Interaction

Scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have uncovered fossilized parasitic fungi in mid-Cretaceous amber, providing some of the earliest known direct evidence of fungus-insect interactions and indicating that Ophiocordyceps may have emerged around 133 million years ago, adapting early to different hosts.

How Entomopathogenic Fungi Hijack Insect Behaviour

Zombie Ant Fungus: A Tale of Tropical Mind Control

Entomopathogenic fungi have developed remrkable strategies for manipulating insect hosts, effectively enlisting them in their own destruction. A notable example is Ophiocordyceps Unilateralis, known as the "Zombie Ant Fungus," which targets carpenter ants in tropical rain-forests. Upon infection, it take control of the ant's nervous system, forcing it to leave its colony's protection.

Under the fungus's control, the ant becomes a morbid marionette, compelled to scale vegetation and bite down on a leaf. It dies suspended in place as the fungus consumes it from within. Eventually, a fungal stalk, releasing spores onto the forest floor to continue the gruesome cycle.

Summit Disease: Grasshoppers and Crickets Under Fungal Influence

Ants are by no means the sole targets of fungal manipulation. In open meadows and grasslands, entomopathogenic fungi such as Entomophthora grylli infect grasshoppers and crickets, inducing a similarly eerie phenomenon known as "Summit Disease." As the infection advances, the insects forsake their normal behaviour, climbing to the tops of plants and adopting a characteristic splayed-legged pose.

When the fungus ruptures the host's exoskeleton, it emits a fine mist of spores that descent upon uninfected insects below. In certain instances, similar fungi have been seen to manipulate their hosts into wandering erratically before leading them into water, where they drown—providing the moist conditions the fungus requires to thrive.

Death in the Air: Houseflies and Entomophthora Muscae

Flies are not immune to fungal mind control. Entomophthora Muscae infects ordinary houseflies, compelling them to ascent to elevated spots—typically the upper corners of walls or windows—before death. The fly secures itself in place by extending its proboscis, offering and ideal launchpad for the fungus to burst from soft tissues. From the corpse, thread-like structures release spores into the air, ready to infect new hosts.

Spiders in the Web of Fungal Control

Even spiders are not exempt from fungal manipulation. Some Ophiocordyceps fungi drive their hosts to cling to vegetation—be it leaves or twigs—prior to death, allowing the parasite to safely sprout a fruiting structures and disperse spores across the surrounding area.

Evolutionary Engineering: Parasitic Adaptations for Survival

These extraordinary behaviours underscore the remarkable evolutionary adaptations of parasitic fungi. By hijacking their hosts instincts —such as climbing, grasping and movement—they engineer optimal conditions for reproduction. What seems like irrational self-destruction is, in truth, a calculated outcomes of fungal manipulation finely turned to its host.

Fossils in Amber: Unlocking the Fungal Past

Rare Glimpses of Parasitic Relationships in the Fossil Record

Direct fossil evidence of such parasitic relationships is rare, owing to the poor preservation of soft fungal tissues and the challenge of identifying pathogenic traits in ancient material. Earlier studies recorded only a few uncertain examples, with evolutionary timelines for Ophiocordyceps based largely on sparse calibration data and indirect inference.

New Species Identified in 99-Million-Year-Old Kachin Amber

In a study titled "Cretaceous entomopathogenic fungi illuminate the early evolution of insect-fungal associations," published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, researchers reported the discovery of two newly identified fungal species encased in 99-million-year-old Kachin amber.

Paleoophiocordyceps Gerontoformicae and Its Ant Host

Among the two fossil fungi detailed in the study, Paleoophiocordyceps Gerontoformicae was discovered in connection with an infected ant pupa preserved in mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber, approximately 99-million years old. The ant has been classified within the extinct genus Gerontoformica, part  of the subfamily Sphecomyrminae.

Nest Hygiene Behaviour Preserved in Fossil Evidence

It is probable that the infection began within the nest, as ant larvae typically remain inside. Worker ants may have introduced fungal spores into the nest, later removing the pupa to uphold colony hygiene, a behaviour observed in modern colonies. This fossilized pupa could represent an early example of such practices, with its removal and disposal outside the nest occurring before it was entombed in resin.

Fungal Form and Function: What Morphology Reveals

The morphology of P. gerontoformicae closely resembled traits found in modern ant-associated Ophiocordyceps species. The presence of laterally attached ascoma and asexual characteristics akin to the Hirsutella clade indicates its placements near the base of both the myrmecophilous hirsutelloid and O. sphecocephala line ages.

Ancestral Origins and Host Shifts Through Deep Time

Findings suggest that Ophiocordyceps likely originated in the Early Cretaceous, around 133.25 million years ago—significantly earlier than previous estimates of approximately 100 million years. Ancestral state reconstruction indicates the fungus initially parasitised beetles, later shifting to Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera as these insect groups diversified during the Cretaceous, providing fresh ecological niches for fungal adaptation.

Diversification in Tandem with Insect Hosts

The authors concluded that these fossils represent some of the earliest known evidence of insect pathogenic fungi and reinforce the notion that Ophiocordyceps diversified alongside its insect hosts.

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unexpected mineral found in Ryugu asteroid

Rare Mineral Found in Ryugu Asteroid Challenges Solar System Formation Theories

Hayabusa2 Mission Uncovers Crucial Clues from Ryugu

Pristine Samples and Their Importance

The untouched samples retrieved from asteroid Ryugu by the Hayabusa2 mission on 6 December 2020 have been crucial in refining our knowledge of primitive asteroids and solar system formation. Ryugu, a C-type asteroid, comprises rock akin to CI chondrite meteorites—rich in carbon and bearing clear signs of past aqueous alteration.

Discovery of an Unexpected Mineral in Ryugu

Identification of Djerfisherite

A team of researchers from Hiroshima University has identified the mineral djerfisherite—a potassium-bearing iron-nickel sulphide—within a grain from asteroid Ryugu. Its discovery is entirely unexpected, as such a mineral is not thought to form under the environmental conditions Ryugu is believed to have experienced.

The Journal Meteoritics & Planetary Science has published the team's findings.

Expert Insight from Dr. Masaaki Miyahara

"Ordinarily, djerfisherite is encountered in significantly reduced settings, such as those characteristic of enstatite chondrites. Its absence in CI chondrites and Ryugu material has been consistent—until now," explained Dr. Masaaki Miyahara, first and corresponding author and associate professor at Hiroshima University.

Challenging Current Understanding of Primitive Asteroids

Exotic Conditions or Early Solar System Transport?

"Its presence is akin to discovering a tropical seed embedded within Arctic ice—suggesting either a surprisingly exotic local condition or significant transport across vast distances in the early solar system."

Weathering Experiments and Analysis

Miyahara's research group had been conducting experiments to investigate how Ryugu grains respond to terrestrial weathering. During FE-TEM analysis, they identified djerfisherite in grain number 15 from sample plate C0105-042.

Implications for Solar System Formation Models

"The presence of djerfisherite within a Ryugu grain implies that substances with disparate origins might have mingled in the early solar system, or that Ryugu encountered previously undetected, chemically diverse environments. This discovery contests the assumption of Ryugu's compositional uniformity and raises intriguing questions regarding the complexity of primordial asteroids," explained Miyahara.

Thermal and Chemical History of Ryugu's Parent Body

Formation in the Outer Solar System

Ryugu originated from a larger celestial precursor, which came into being around 1.8 to 2.9 million years post-solar system formation. Scientists surmise this body took shape in the solar system's colder outer zones, rich in frozen water and carbon dioxide.

Radioactive Heating and Ice Melting

Within the parent body, the decay of radioactive isotopes produced heat that led to the melting of ice roughly 3 million years post-formation. During this period, temperatures are believed to have remained below 50°C.

Comparison with Enstatite Chondrites

Conversely, the parent bodies of enstatite chondrites, which exhibit the presence of djerfisherite, are believed to have originated closer to the Sun. Thermodynamic assessments indicate the mineral emerged from condensation within high-temperatures gases.

Experimental Confirmation

In addition, controlled hydrothermal experiments suggest that djerfisherite may from through chemical interactions between postassium-laden fluids and Fe-Ni sulphides at elevated temperatures exceeding 350 °C.

Hypotheses and Future Directions

Two Possible Origins for Djerfisherite in Ryugu

Two explanations were offered for the mineral's inclusion within the Ryugu grain: either it originated elsewhere and was introduced during the parent body's creation, or it formed locally as a result of thermal conditions exceeding 350°C.

Isotopic Analysis to Follow

Initial findings suggest that the hypothesis favouring intrinsic formation is the more probable explanation. Subsequent work will involve isotopic analysis of this and additional Ryugu grains to elucidate their provenance.

Toward a Deeper Understanding of Planetary Formation

Broader Scientific Goals

"Our ultimate objective is to piece together the early mixing events and thermal developments that influenced minor celestial bodies such as Ryugu, thereby enhancing our insight into planetary genesis and mterial movement within the nascent solar system," Miyahara remarks.

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3D time theory quantum unification kletetschka

Radical 3D Time Theory Re-imagines Reality: Space Emerges from Time, Says UAF Scientist

Time as the Fundamental Fabric of Reality

A recent theory from a scientist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks suggests that time, rather than space-time, constitutes the only true foundation upon which all physical processes unfold.

The theory contends that time consists of three separate dimensions, challenging the traditional view of a single forward-flowing continuum. Space, in turn, arises as a secondary effect.

"These three temporal dimensions constitute the fundamental fabric of reality—akin to the canvas upon which a painting is made," explained Associate Professor Gunther Kletetschka of the UAF Geophysical Institute. "Space, though still three-dimensional, is more comparable to the paint upon that canvas than the canvas itself."

Challenging Mainstream Physics

Such ideas represent a clear departure from mainstream physics, which posits that reality comprises one temporal dimensions—collectively to as spacetime, a unified framework introduced over a century ago.

The six-dimensional model proposed by Kletetschka, uniting and space, could potentially advance efforts to uncover a comprehensive theory of everything.

An Ongoing Scientific Pursuit

Time dimensions that move beyond our everyday linear experience remain elusive and difficult to visualize. Various models have been advanced by theoretical physicists.

Kletetschka's study, released on 21 April in Reports in Advances of Physical Science, contributes to a longstanding line of inquiry pursued by theoretical physicists into an area beyond mainstream physics.

A Testable Theory with Experimental Ties

He maintains that his theoretical structure—based on time having three dimensions—offers improvements over previous models, chiefly through its ability to recreate known particle masses and measurable properties.

"Previous theories of three-dimensional time were largely abstract mathematical models lacking tangible experimental ties," he remarked. "My research elevates the idea to a testable physical theory, validated through several independent methods."

The theory may enable predictions of as-yet-unknown particle properties and contribute to uncovering the origin of mass—ultimately addressing one of physics' most profound questions.

What is 3D Time?

A New Geometric Model of Time

Three-dimensional time refers to a theoretical model in which time, akin to space, unfolds along three independent axes—much like the familiar X, Y and Z directions in spatial geometry.

Visualize strolling down a linear path, with each step marking time's familiar forward march. Then, consider a second route that veers across the first, running laterally.

Were you to step onto that sideways path while remaining within the same point in 'ordinary time', you might encounter subtle differences—perhaps an alternative version of the same day. Travelling this perpendicular route could allow one to explore varied outcomes without moving forwards or backwards in time as we understand it.

Alternative Outcomes and Transitions

The second dimension of time is marked by the existence of alternative outcomes; the third lies in the mechanism enabling transitions between them.

Refining the Theory Beyond Conventional Physics

Kletetschka asserted that his theory addresses several shortcomings present in earlier models of three-dimensional time rooted in conventional physics.

Some previous theories of time propose multiple dimensions wherein the usual order of cause and effect is obscured. Kletetschka's formulation maintains this order, though via a more sophisticated mathematical structure.

Some researchers—among them theoretical physicist Itzhak Bars of the University of Southern California—believe that in three-dimensional time, the second and third dimensions may manifest under conditions of extreme energy, such as those present in the early universe or during high-energy particle collisions.

A Universal Unifier?

Reuniting Gravity and Quantum Mechanics

Bars and fellow theoretical physicists regard the exploration of three-dimensional time as a promising route towards addressing some of physics' most perplexing questions.

Kletetschka's method could potentially address one of the most formidable problems in physics: reconciling quantum mechanics with gravity in a unified theory.

Towards a 'Theory of Everything'

A quantum theory of gravity may well pave the way to a unified theory of the universe—a "Theory of Everything" that brings together all four fundamental forces: electromagnetism, the strong and weak nuclear forces and gravity.

While the Standard Model unifies electromagnetism and the strong and weak nuclear forces, gravity remains the domain of Einstein's general relativity.

The two frameworks remain fundamentally incompatible, prompting physicists to pursue a "Theory of Everything" that unites them —understanding the origin of particle masses being key to this endeavour.

Rethinking Physical Reality

Kletetschka is confident that his three-dimensional time theory offers valuable insight. His model successfully reproduces the known masses of particles like electrons, muons and quarks, while also accounting for their origins.

"The journey toward unification may necessitate a fundamental rethinking of the very nature of physical reality," he remarked. "this theory illustrates how adopting a three-dimensional view of time can resolve numerous physical conundrums within one consistent mathematical model."

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