Category: science

A
celestial
body
found
three
decades
ago
has
now
been
identified
as
a
pair
of

brown
dwarfs
orbiting
each
other,
a
recent
study
has
revealed.
The
object,
previously
known
as
Gliese
229B,
was
the
first
brown
dwarf
discovered
30
years
ago.
Brown
dwarfs
are
considered
too
large
to
be

planets
yet
too
small
to
ignite
like
stars.
What
makes
this
discovery
unique
is
that
these
two
brown
dwarfs,
now
named
Gliese
229Ba
and
Gliese
229Bb,
circle
each
other
in
just
12
days,
much
faster
than
many
similar
objects.

Unexpected
Pairing
of
Brown
Dwarfs

For
years,

astronomers
were
puzzled
by
the
unusually
dim
appearance
of
Gliese
229B,
given
its
mass.
This
mystery
has
now
been
explained,
as
the
light
from
this
object
was
coming
from
two
separate
bodies
rather
than
one.
Using
the
Very
Large

Telescope
in
Chile,
scientists
collected
new
data
showing
that
what
appeared
to
be
a
single
brown
dwarf
is
actually
a
close-orbiting
pair.
Each
of
these
bodies
is
orbiting
a
small
star
about
18
light-years
away,
which
is
relatively
close
to

Earth
in
astronomical
terms.

Orbit
Shorter
than
the
Moon’s

While
astronomers
have
discovered
other
brown
dwarf
pairs
before,
the
Gliese
229Ba
and
Gliese
229Bb
pair
is
noteworthy
because
of
the
proximity
of
their
orbit.
The
twins
complete
their
orbits
around
each
other
every
12
days,
which
is
quicker
than
the

Moon‘s
journey
around
Earth.
“It’s
quite
unusual
to
see
brown
dwarfs
behaving
in
this
way,”
said
Rebecca
Oppenheimer,
co-author
of
the

study
from
the
American
Museum
of
Natural
History.

Could
More
Hidden
Brown
Dwarf
Twins
Exist?

The

findings
suggest
there
may
be
more
brown
dwarfs
with
hidden
companions
that
have
yet
to
be
discovered.
Jerry
Xuan
from
the
California
Institute
of
Technology,
another
co-author,
believes
this
could
change
our
understanding
of
how
these
objects
form
and
evolve.
This
discovery,
published
in
Nature,
provides
valuable
insights
into
the
diversity
of
objects
in
our
universe.
Here’s
how
the
article
would
look
in
your
required
format:

A
recent
breakthrough
by
researchers
at
the
German
Primate
Center,
led
by
Andres
Agudelo-Toro,
a
scientist
in
the

Neurobiology
Laboratory,
has
significantly
advanced
the
field
of
brain-computer
interfaces.
The
study,
conducted
with
rhesus
monkeys,
has
resulted
in
a
training
protocol
that
enables
precise
control
of
prosthetic
hands
purely
through
brain
signals.
This
novel
approach
focuses
on
the
neural
signals
responsible
for
different
hand
postures,
which
are
essential
for
controlling

prosthetic
devices,
rather
than
the
previously
assumed
velocity
signals.

The
Importance
of
Fine
Motor
Skills

The
capability
to
manipulate
everyday
objects,
such
as
carrying
shopping
bags
or
threading
a
needle,
hinges
on
our
fine
motor
skills,
which
many
take
for
granted.
Individuals
affected
by
conditions
like
paraplegia
or
diseases
such
as
amyotrophic
lateral
sclerosis
(ALS)
can
experience
profound
limitations
in
mobility
due
to
muscle
paralysis.
As
a
result,
researchers
have
invested
decades
into
developing
neuroprostheses—artificial
limbs
designed
to
restore
movement.

The
Study
Process

During
the

study,
monkeys
were
initially
trained
to
move
a
virtual
avatar
hand
on
a
screen.
Once
they
grasped
this
task,
they
progressed
to
controlling
the
avatar
through
mental
imagery,
a
method
that
measures
activity
in
the
neurons
responsible
for
hand
movements.
The
researchers
adapted
their
algorithm
to
incorporate
both
the
endpoint
of
a
movement
and
the
trajectory
taken
to
reach
it,
enhancing
the
precision
of
the
avatar’s
movements.

Significance
of
Findings

The
findings
of
this
study
underscore
the
critical
role
of
hand
posture
signals
in
the
effective
operation
of
neuroprostheses,
according
to
Hansjörg
Scherberger,
head
of
the
Neurobiology
Laboratory
and
senior
author
of
the
study.
This
research
could
pave
the
way
for
improved
functionality
of
future

brain-computer
interfaces,
ultimately
enhancing
the
fine
motor
skills
of
prosthetic
hands
and
restoring
mobility
to
those
in
need.

Researchers
at
the
Massachusetts
Institute
of
Technology
(MIT)
have
made
a
groundbreaking
advancement
in
3D
printing
active
electronics
without
the
need
for
traditional

semiconductor
materials.
This
breakthrough
involves
creating
3D-printed
logic
gates,
fundamental
components
used
in
processing
tasks
within
electronic
devices.
Instead
of
relying
on
conventional
manufacturing
processes,
these
logic
gates
were
produced
using
standard
3D
printing
techniques
and
a
biodegradable
polymer.
This
step
brings
the
concept
of
fully
3D-printed
electronics
closer
to
reality,
offering
exciting
possibilities
for
accessible
and
decentralised
electronics
production.

Semiconductor-Free
Logic
Gates

MIT’s
research
team,
led
by
Luis
Fernando
Velásquez-García
from
the
Microsystems

Technology
Laboratories,
has
developed
logic
gates
using
a
copper-doped
polymer,
avoiding
the
use
of
traditional
semiconductors
like
silicon.
These
gates
perform
basic
switching
operations,
similar
to
how
silicon-based
transistors
function
in
everyday
electronics.
While
these
3D-printed
components
are
not
yet
on
par
with
silicon

transistors
in
terms
of
performance,
they
can
be
effectively
used
for
less
complex
operations,
such
as
controlling
the
speed
of
a
motor.

The
innovation
lies
in
the
ability
to
3D
print
these
devices
using
inexpensive,
eco-friendly
materials,
potentially
allowing
electronics
to
be
manufactured
in
a
more
sustainable
and
affordable
manner.
The
idea
is
to
democratise
production,
enabling
individuals,
businesses,
and
small
labs
to
print
their
own
devices.

The
Future
of
Fully
Printed
Electronics

Despite
the
current
limitations,
such
as
the
inability
to
miniaturise
these
components
to
the
nanoscale
level
of
traditional
transistors,
the
potential
of
3D-printed
logic
gates
is
immense.
MIT’s
research
team
is
already

exploring
further
developments
to
create
more
complex
circuits
and
eventually
fully
functional
3D-printed
devices.

This
technology,
if
perfected,
could
revolutionise
the
way
electronic
devices
are
manufactured,
making
it
possible
to
print
active
devices
without
the
need
for
expensive,
large-scale
facilities.
The
implications
for
industries
ranging
from
consumer
electronics
to
healthcare
and
beyond
could
be
vast,
as
this
innovation
brings
down
the
cost
and
complexity
of
device
production.

Recent
advancements
in
quantum
computing
have
revealed
that
Google’s
67-qubit
Sycamore
processor
can
outperform
the
fastest
classical

supercomputers.
This
breakthrough,
detailed
in
a
study
published
in
Nature
on
October
9,
2024,
indicates
a
new
phase
in
quantum
computation
known
as
the
“weak
noise
phase.”

Understanding
the
Weak
Noise
Phase

The
research,
spearheaded
by
Alexis
Morvan
at
Google
Quantum
AI,
demonstrates
how
quantum
processors
can
enter
this
stable
computationally
complex
phase.
During
this
phase,
the
Sycamore
chip
is
capable
of
executing
calculations
that
exceed
the
performance
capabilities
of
traditional
supercomputers.
According
to
Google
representatives,
this
discovery
represents
a
significant
step
towards
real-world
applications
for
quantum
technology
that
cannot
be
replicated
by
classical
computers.

The
Role
of
Qubits
in
Quantum
Computing

Quantum
computers
leverage
qubits,
which
harness
the
principles
of
quantum
mechanics
to
perform
calculations
in
parallel.
This
contrasts
sharply
with
classical
computing,
where
bits
process
information
sequentially.
The
exponential
power
of
qubits
allows
quantum
machines
to
solve
problems
in
seconds
that
would
take
classical
computers
thousands
of
years.
However,
qubits
are
highly
sensitive
to
interference,
leading
to
a
higher
failure
rate;
for
instance,
around
1
in
100
qubits
may
fail,
compared
to
an
incredibly
low
failure
rate
of
1
in
a
billion
billion
bits
in
classical
systems.

Overcoming
Challenges:
Noise
and
Error
Correction

Despite
the
potential,
quantum
computing
faces
significant
challenges,
primarily
the
noise
that
affects
qubit
performance.
To
achieve
“quantum
supremacy,”
effective
error
correction
methods
are
necessary,
especially
as
the
number
of
qubits
increases,
as
per
a
LiveScience

report.
Currently,
the
largest
quantum
machines
have
around
1,000
qubits,
and
scaling
up
presents
complex
technical
hurdles.

The
Experiment:
Random
Circuit
Sampling

In
the
recent
experiment,
Google

researchers
employed
a
technique
called
random
circuit
sampling
(RCS)
to
evaluate
the
performance
of
a
two-dimensional
grid
of
superconducting
qubits.
RCS
serves
as
a
benchmark
to
compare
the
capabilities
of
quantum
computers
against
classical
supercomputers
and
is
regarded
as
one
of
the
most
challenging
benchmarks
in
quantum
computing.

The
findings
indicated
that
by
manipulating
noise
levels
and
controlling
quantum
correlations,
the
researchers
could
transition
qubits
into
the
“weak
noise
phase.”
In
this
state,
the
computations
became
sufficiently
complex,
demonstrating
that
the
Sycamore
chip
could
outperform
classical
systems.

In
the
next
few
weeks,

NASA
will
embark
on
a
significant
mission
to
Europa,
the
fourth-largest
moon
of
Jupiter.
Named

Europa
Clipper,
this
spacecraft
is
designed
to
search
for
potential
signs
of
life.
While
Mars
is
often
the
focal
point
in
the
quest
for
life
beyond
Earth,
Europa
presents
a
promising
alternative
due
to
its
potential
liquid
water,
which
is
considered
essential
for
life
as
we
understand
it.
Although
delays
have
occurred
due
to
Hurricane
Milton,
NASA’s
plan
to
launch
the
mission
remains
intact.

Why
Europa
Holds
Potential
for
Life

Mars
may
be
the
easiest
target
to
explore
for
life,
but
Europa,
along
with
some
of
Saturn’s
moons,
could
be
better
candidates.
Liquid
water
is
crucial
for
life,
and
on
Earth,
it
supports
the
chemical
reactions
that
allow
living
organisms
to
exist.
Scientists
believe
that
Europa,
like
Saturn’s
moons
Titan
and
Enceladus,
has
vast
subsurface
oceans
beneath
its
icy
exterior.
This
possibility
makes
Europa
a
compelling
target
for
the
search
for
extraterrestrial
life.

What
the
Europa
Clipper
Will
Do

Equipped
with
nine
sophisticated
instruments,
the
Europa
Clipper
will
closely

examine
the
moon’s
surface,
searching
for
signs
of
life
beneath
the
thick
ice
sheet.
The
spacecraft
will
use
thermal
imaging,
spectrometers,
and
cameras
to
detect
any
unusual
heat
or
chemical
activity.
One
of
its
key
objectives
is
to
locate
and
study
potential
water
plumes
erupting
from
the
surface,
giving
insight
into
the
moon’s
subsurface
oceans.

Although
it
will
take
the
spacecraft
over
five
years
to
reach
Jupiter’s
orbit,
this
mission
marks
a
crucial
step
in
exploring
Europa.
While
the
Clipper
won’t
be
able
to
confirm
life
itself,
its
findings
could
lead
to
more
in-depth
future
missions,
bringing
us
closer
to
discovering
life
beyond
Earth.

An
unexpected
discovery
concerning
gene
regulation
has
earned
Victor
Ambros
from
the
University
of
Massachusetts
Chan
Medical
School
and
Gary
Ruvkun
from
Harvard
Medical
School
the
2024
Nobel
Prize
in
physiology
or
medicine.
The
duo’s
research
identified
small

RNA
segments,
known
as
microRNAs,
which
play
a
significant
role
in
regulating
protein
production
in
the
body.
This
discovery,
originating
from
their
work
with
a
tiny
worm,
has
provided
crucial
insights
into
biological
processes
linked
to
health
and
disease.

MicroRNA’s
Role
in
Gene
Regulation

MicroRNAs
are
tiny
RNA
molecules
that
help
regulate
gene
expression
by
affecting
the
production
of
proteins.
In
this
process,
microRNAs
latch
onto
messenger
RNA
(mRNA),
which
carries
instructions
from
DNA
to
make
proteins.
By
clinging
to
mRNA,
microRNAs
prevent
the
translation
of
those
instructions,
reducing
the
amount
of
protein
produced.
Instead
of
acting
as
an
on/off
switch,
these
molecules
function
more
like
dimmers,
subtly
reducing
protein
production.

Early
Discoveries
in
Worms

Ambros
and
Ruvkun’s

research
began
in
Caenorhabditis
elegans,
a
small,
transparent
worm.
Their
focus
was
on
two
genes,
lin-4
and
lin-14,
which
played
a
key
role
in
the
worm’s
development.
Ambros
initially
discovered
a
small
RNA
segment
associated
with
the
lin-4
gene.
It
turned
out
to
be
the
first
identified
microRNA.
Ruvkun
later
demonstrated
that
the
lin-4
microRNA
binds
to
the
mRNA
of
the
lin-14
gene,
reducing
the
production
of
its
corresponding
protein.

Impact
on
Human
Health

MicroRNAs
were
initially
thought
to
be
specific
to
worms,
but
subsequent
research
revealed
they
are
present
across
the
animal
kingdom,
including
humans.
This
discovery
has
opened
up
new
avenues
of
research
into
how
these
small
RNAs
impact
human
health,
with
potential
applications
in
treating
diseases
like
cancer,
heart
disease,
and
neurodegenerative
conditions.

SpaceX‘s
Crew-9
mission
successfully
reached
the
International
Space
Station
(ISS)
on
September
29,
2024.
The
NASA
astronaut
Colonel
Nick
Hague
and
Russian
cosmonaut
Aleksandr
Gorbunov
boarded
the
Crew
Dragon
capsule,
named
Freedom.
After
launching
from
Florida’s
Cape
Canaveral
Space
Force
Station
on
September
28th,
the
crew
completed
a
one-day
orbital
journey
before
docking
at
5:30
PM
EDT
(3:00
AM
IST).
Hague
is
the
first
active
U.S.
Space
Force
member
to
reach
space,
further
highlighting
the
significance
of
this
mission.

First
Human
Spaceflight
from
Space
Launch
Complex-40

Crew-9’s
launch
marked
a
historic
moment
as
it
was
the
first
human
spaceflight
to
lift
off
from
Space
Launch
Complex-40
(SLC-40).
Nick
Hague
and
Aleksandr
Gorbunov’s
arrival
brings
the
total
number
of
astronauts
aboard
the
ISS
to
eleven.
However,
this
mission
is
also
distinctive
due
to
NASA’s
decision
to
reduce
Crew-9’s
original
four-person
roster.
Instead,
the
mission
was
modified
to
carry
only
two
astronauts
to
make
room
for
two
astronauts
already
aboard
the
ISS
who
require
a
return
trip
to
Earth.

Butch
Wilmore
and
Sunita
Williams,
who
arrived
at
the
ISS
in
June
on
the
first
crewed

Boeing
Starliner
flight,
were
originally
scheduled
to
stay
for
just
ten
days.
However,
technical
issues
with
Starliner’s
thrusters
extended
their
stay
on
the
station.

Preparing
for
Crew-8’s
Departure

Crew-9’s
arrival
also
marks
the
upcoming
departure
of
the
Crew-8
astronauts,
including
NASA’s
Michael
Barratt,
Matthew
Dominick,
Jeanette
Epps,
and
cosmonaut
Alexander
Grebenkin.
The
four,
who
arrived
at
the
station
in
March,
are
scheduled
to
return
to
Earth
soon
after
Crew-9’s
docking
process
is
completed.
If
everything
proceeds
as
planned,
Crew-9
will
remain
at
the
ISS
until
February
2025,
further
supporting
ongoing
space

research
and
operations
aboard
the
station.