Hiker Uncovers Ancient Ecosystem in the Italian Alps Predating Dinosaurs

2025-03-27 11:36:59 By Linda Jones

Hiker Discovers Prehistoric Ecosystem in the Italian Alps Older Than Dinosaurs

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Valtellina Orobie Mountain Park and Fossil Rock. Source: Press Kit, Museo di Storia Naturale di Milano.

Envision taking a leisurely walk through the breathtaking Italian Alps, where crisp mountain air revitalizes your spirit and the awe-inspiring landscape captivates your senses. Now, imagine discovering a concealed portal to Earth’s ancient history, revealing a world that existed long before dinosaurs graced the Earth. This remarkable experience unfolded for hiker Claudia Steffensen in 2023 as she ventured through the stunning heights of the Italian mountain range.

A Stone with a Tale to Share

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Alpine hiker. Photo credit: xiSerge on Pixabay.

During a routine hike with her husband in the Valtellina Orobie Mountains Park in Lombardy in 2023, Steffensen stumbled upon something unexpected. What seemed to be an ordinary rock lying along the path concealed a fascinating secret. Upon examining it more carefully, she discovered peculiar circular patterns adorned with wavy lines etched into its surface. Captivated by this find, she quickly understood that these markings weren’t mere coincidences – they were the footprints of animals!

A Fortunate Discovery Unveils a Scientific Breakthrough

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Fossilized rock found at the location. Source: Press kit, Museo di Storia Naturale di Milano.

Unsure of the significance of her discovery, Steffensen captured photos of the peculiar rock. These pictures would soon unlock a portal to a bygone era.  She shared the images with her friend, a nature photographer, who, in turn, forwarded them to paleontologists at the Natural History Museum of Milan. The moment the experts saw the intricate details; their hearts skipped a beat.

The museum team swiftly recognized the footprints as those of beings that walked the Earth an astonishing 280 million years ago! This era, referred to as the Permian, predates the existence of dinosaurs. It represented a vital chapter in the evolutionary history of life on our planet.

The Reappearance of a Vanished Ecosystem

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Fossilized rocks and ecosystem representation. Source: Press kit, Museo di Storia Naturale di Milano.

The discovery of the first rock, dubbed “Rock Zero,” was just the beginning. Further exploration in the area revealed a treasure trove of fossilized tracks on slabs of sandstone. These weren’t just isolated prints – the site held the remains of an entire prehistoric ecosystem, preserved in remarkable detail. Further investigation revealed hundreds of other fossilised footprints t made by over five species of ancient reptiles, amphibians and insects.

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Researchers at the location in Valtellina. Source: Press kit, Milan Natural History Museum.

The fossil evidence extended beyond mere footprints. Researchers discovered imprints of prehistoric vegetation, featuring seeds and stems, which shed light on the plant life that flourished in this ancient ecosystem. Additionally, the site revealed impressions of raindrops, providing valuable information about the climatic conditions during the Permian period.

In a twist of irony, the melting glaciers in the Alps, driven by increasing global temperatures, have unveiled this ancient realm. Although this finding marks a significant scientific achievement, it also highlights the profound effects humanity has on the Earth.

A Glimpse into History, Insights for Tomorrow

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A researcher at the excavation site is searching for fossils. Source: Press kit, Museo di Storia Naturale Milano.

Exploring this forgotten realm reveals insights into the fragile equilibrium of ecosystems and the significant transformations our planet has experienced over time. Gaining knowledge from these historical occurrences could yield important information about how Earth may react to present and upcoming environmental changes.

A Heritage of Exploration: Revealing the Mysteries of the Alps

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Valtellina Orobie Mountain Range. Photo credit: Pixabay.

This remarkable discovery not only provides a glimpse into Earth’s distant past but also highlights the crucial role citizen science can play in uncovering hidden secrets.  Thanks to Claudia Steffensen’s keen eye and the dedication of paleontologists, the Italian Alps have become a doorway to a lost world, forever enriching our understanding of life on Earth.

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Columbia Basin Inhabitants Excited After Spotting Daytime Meteor and Space Debris

View pictures in App save up to 80% data. Chris Hansen Numerous residents of the Columbia Basin are abuzz after allegedly witnessing what they believe to be a meteor streaking across the sky over the weekend. The majority of the sightings were reported in the Quincy region, where at least one individual claimed to have witnessed a bright object leaving a lengthy trail of smoke in the sky on Saturday afternoon. Although many of the witnesses believed it to have been a meteor, there are no official reports of sightings from the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA), the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Association (NOAA), or private agencies such as The Aerospace Corporation's Debris Sightings log. While it's possible the object may have been a meteor, it's just as likely that it was a form of space junk, although no official sightings have yet been registered with agencies such as the Center for Orbital & Reentry Debris or the AstriaGraph site at the University of Texas.

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China's 'Batwoman' researcher continues to carry out hazardous coronavirus experiments despite concerns over lab leaks.

Chinese researcher Shi Zhengli, aged 60, remains actively engaged in studying bat coronaviruses in Wuhan. Leading virologists warn that her research could have a 'potentially catastrophic' effect as we approach five years since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. View pictures in App save up to 80% data. Chinese virologist Shi Zhengli has allegedly earned the nickname 'batwoman' (file). A Chinese scientist is still conducting "potentially catastrophic" research into coronaviruses five years on from the start of the Covid pandemic which claimed millions of lives worldwide, according to experts. Shi Zhengli, 60, is one of the world's leading scientists working on bat coronaviruses in Wuhan. She has reportedly earned herself the nickname "Batwoman" as a result. She was thrown into the spotlight in late 2019 when a new form of coronavirus emerged in the region, with some scientists questioning whether Covid-19 leaked from a lab. In December, a two-year congressional investigation into the pandemic concluded the "weight of the evidence" suggests a lab leak was responsible. US lawmakers said in the report: "More and more senior intelligence officials, politicians, science editors, and scientists increasingly have endorsed the hypothesis that Covid-19 emerged as the result of a laboratory or research related accident." View pictures in App save up to 80% data. Her ongoing research has been labeled as 'potentially disastrous' (file). Nevertheless, leading virologists assert that Zhengli's team is still engaged in potentially harmful coronavirus research in Wuhan. In a study released in Nature, she proudly highlighted her team's achievement in creating the first "tailored" coronavirus "receptors." This advancement could enable researchers to modify viruses, allowing them to infect various species, including humans. Robert Redfield, the director of America's CDC during the pandemic, told The Sun: "It's potentially dangerous research. You are taking a non-pathogenic virus and changing it so that it could end up being dangerous to humans. You may have a pathogen that is restricted to pigs - but now you could totally change it so that it's highly infectious to other species too. View pictures in App save up to 80% data. An expert notes that Zhengli is 'experimenting with bat viruses and altering their receptors' (file). "She is experimenting with bat viruses and altering their receptors, which could enable them to infect animals like cows or chickens. This is a risky move with potentially disastrous outcomes. It might lead to a new pandemic affecting either animals or humans." Dr. Alina Chan, an expert in genetic engineering, stated that it seems Zhengli's team has now succeeded in "isolating" additional novel coronaviruses. She expressed concerns that this research is "risky" and prompts inquiries about the intentions of Zhengli's team regarding the handling of these new viruses once they cultivate them in the laboratory.

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Elon Unleashes Cybertrucks, Combines Forces from SpaceX and Tesla for Humanitarian Mission in LA/Malibu

View pictures in App save up to 80% data. On November 21, 2019, Elon Musk, the co-founder and CEO of Tesla, showcased the newly revealed all-electric, battery-powered Cybertruck at the Tesla Design Center located in Hawthorne, California. (Frederic J. Brown - AFP / Getty Images) Elon Musk revealed that both Tesla and SpaceX have allocated resources and staff to assist those affected by the fires in Los Angeles, as residents are forced to evacuate and face the loss of their homes. Musk shared on Sunday evening via X that Tesla and SpaceX staffers are “driving around areas in greater LA/Malibu that are in tough shape with free WiFi, drinks & snacks.” Tesla & SpaceX personnel are driving around areas in greater LA/Malibu that are in tough shape with free WiFi, drinks & snacks https://t.co/304vjlXSoc — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 13, 2025 He shared a post from Tesla that outlined a “summary of initiatives” undertaken by the electric vehicle company to assist both its employees and the wider community. Those endeavors proved to be remarkably extensive. Tesla is providing housing accommodations, transportation, and meals for employees who had their homes “lost or destroyed” amid the historic fires. The company successfully restored all Supercharger locations to operation, with the exception of the Pasadena Supercharger, which was situated in the heart of the fire. Beyond those responses, Tesla deployed two Megapack Chargers, which are essentially massive energy storage units that help with grid reliability, on Friday to “relieve congestion in Thousand Oaks for evacuation & families losing power due to Public Safety Power Shutoffs.” The company deployed another unit the next day to Altadena “for first responder support, providing power & Starlink connectivity.” Tesla has dispatched an additional two Megapack Chargers to San Bernardino and is in the process of installing more in the Palisades, the areas that suffered the greatest damage from the recent fires. Mobile Powerwall Units have been set up in Altadena and Topanga Canyon with assistance from various nonprofit organizations to supply power for devices and refrigerators. Additionally, several Cybertrucks equipped with Starlink are stationed across the city, including in Altadena, Pasadena, Zuma Beach, and Malibu. The Cybertrucks are equipped with compartments filled with water and snacks. To put it differently, Tesla, SpaceX, and Musk have made significant efforts to support not just their employees, but also the entire community. Musk did the same after hurricanes destroyed large parts of the southeastern United States a few months back. However, the initiatives in California proceed in spite of some lingering tensions with the state's Democratic leadership. In November, California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled a proposal to provide rebates for electric vehicles, excluding Teslas. This decision has faced significant criticism, with many viewing it as a form of political revenge against a billionaire adversary who has recently allied with the Republican Party. Musk called the exclusion of Tesla “insane,” especially because the company is the only car producer to make electric vehicles in the Golden State, according to a report from the New York Post. In summary, while California's leaders chose to distance themselves from Musk, he remained loyal to the state. Even as Newsom whines about his enemies politicizing the fires, Musk going out of his way to help the state is about as unpolitical a move as he possibly could have made. Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.

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Space Photo of the Week: Hubble's 23-Year Journey to Capture the Tilted Spiral Galaxy

In this remarkable Hubble image, over two decades in the making, the dazzling spiral galaxy UGC 10043 unveils the mysteries behind its surprisingly large bulge. View pictures in App save up to 80% data. UGC 10043 is among the rare spiral galaxies observed from the edge perspective. What it is: Spiral galaxy UGC 10043 Where it is: 150 million light-years away in the constellation Serpens When it was shared: December 12, 2024 Why it's so special: This image of a spiral galaxy taken by the Hubble Space Telescope is a portrait more than two decades in the making. Similar to many full-color images of celestial bodies, this one is a composite made from images captured in various wavelengths of light. What distinguishes this particular image is that the data utilized for its creation was gathered during observation sessions in 2000 and 2023, spanning a remarkable 23 years. This long-term advantage of having a space telescope in orbit is evident: Hubble was launched aboard the space shuttle Discovery on April 24, 1990, and its extensive operational duration has allowed it to gather an immense wealth of data about the universe's many facets. But besides the prolonged methods used to create it, it's also an unusual image on its face. Spiral galaxies — which account for about 60% of all galaxies in the universe, according to the European Space Agency — are, by chance, typically seen face-on when viewed from the solar system. That’s why spiral galaxies are typically associated with vivid spiral arms, which can only be seen from a face-on vantage. However, UGC 10043 is viewed edge-on, with its rings seemingly flattened into a line. This unique angle gives astronomers the chance to see how spiral galaxies are structured in 3D. The image of UGC 10043 showcases distinct lanes of dust that would probably resemble spiral arms if the galaxy were viewed from a frontal perspective. In this view, these dust lanes obscure the combined light emitted by the stars that constitute the galaxy. Additionally, they harbor dark clouds that serve as regions for star formation. In the middle of the image lies a luminous bulge — the vibrant core of the galaxy. Every galaxy possesses a core, but the one in UGC 10043 is notably oversized. Researchers believe this may be a result of UGC 10043 merging with a nearby dwarf galaxy, which has provided an abundance of dust and gas, stimulating the formation of new stars. This collision might also account for the slight distortion in the galaxy's disk, which curves upwards on one side and downwards on the other.

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PULSAR: Planetary pULSe-tAker

View pictures in App save up to 80% data. An artistic representation showcasing the innovative strategy put forth by the 2025 NIAC-selected PULSAR: Planetary pULSe-tAkeR initiative. Marco QuadrelliNASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) A robust coupling mechanism exists among the lithosphere, ionosphere, magnetosphere, atmosphere, and plasmasphere of various planetary bodies. For instance, the ionosphere has been observed to react to space weather phenomena triggered by solar activity, as well as to atmospheric disturbances and events occurring within a planet's surface and interior. PULSAR (Planetary pULSe-tAkeR) is a reliable constellation of spacecraft that facilitates extensive and adaptable detector baselines, allowing for the capture of a diverse array of frequencies within this interconnected domain. It provides distributed spatial and temporal measurements on a global scale, paving the way for groundbreaking advancements in planetary science. Just as a physician monitors a patient's vital signs to assess their health, PULSAR effectively "takes the pulse of the planet."

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Inflatable Starshade for Habitable Exoplanets

View pictures in App save up to 80% data. An artist's illustration showcasing the innovative strategy put forward by the 2025 NIAC-selected Inflatable Starshade for Earth-like Exoplanets project. John MatherNASA Goddard Space Flight Center We will design the first family of ISEE’s (Inflatable Starshade for Earthlike Exoplanets) with sizes from 35 to 100 m diameter. A starshade would enable any telescope to observe exoplanets, a top priority for astronomy worldwide. Compared with other starshade concepts, we aim for a lower mass, cost and complexity, while still providing high performance and science yield (>100 targets). Our starshades would be compatible with the 6 m diameter Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) now being planned, as well as the world’s largest telescope, the 39 m diameter European Extremely Large Telescope now being built in Chile, working as part of the HOEE, (Hybrid Observatory for Earthlike Exoplanets), and other future telescopes. We need to observe oxygen at visible wavelengths and ozone at UV. An ISEE, positioned between a target star and the telescope, would block the starlight without blocking the exoplanets. Starshades have perfect optical efficiency, they work with any telescope, and they can block the starlight much better than the requirement, for a star >1010 times brighter than the target. The alternative technology employs an almost flawless and highly stable space telescope, similar to HWO, equipped with an internal coronagraph designed to block starlight from obscuring the planet's image. Coronagraphs offer significant benefits, including their compact size, ease of testing, and immediate availability. Nonetheless, existing coronagraphs have yet to achieve the necessary contrast levels. Additionally, the development of an ultraviolet coronagraph remains unfeasible. If the stringent requirements for extreme picometer stability and optical precision of HWO and its coronagraph could be eased by integrating a starshade, it would allow for the construction of HWO at a significantly reduced cost and lower risk. Therefore, if ultraviolet observations of exoplanets are crucial, utilizing a 35 m starshade in conjunction with HWO emerges as the sole viable option. The HWO is set to be NASA's next major observatory and will feature a high-performance coronagraph designed for exoplanet observation. This decision has shifted the dynamics regarding the competing starshade technology. However, a starshade mission might still be deemed necessary under certain conditions: A. If the HWO and its coronagraph cannot be constructed and validated as needed; B. If the HWO needs to observe exoplanets in UV wavelengths, or if a 6 m HWO is insufficient to target the desired celestial bodies; C. If the HWO does not perform adequately after its launch, and servicing or instrument upgrades are not feasible; D. If HWO observations reveal that intriguing exoplanets are scarce, too far away, obscured by dense dust clouds surrounding their host stars, or cannot be fully analyzed with an upgraded HWO; or E. If HWO findings indicate that the next phase requires UV data, or a telescope significantly larger than what future HWO coronagraph enhancements can provide. An inflatable starshade presents a solution to the primary challenge associated with traditional starshade designs: their complex mechanical structures. Historically, starshades have not been launched, as they require precise shapes and edges, along with accurate propulsion and positioning. Previous designs utilizing discrete components can be enlarged to meet the dimensions needed for HWO (35-60 m) and HOEE (100 m), but they tend to be bulky, difficult to prototype, and thus incur significant costs and risks. Our target mass budget is set at 250 kg for the 35 m HWO variant, 650 kg for the 60 m option, and 1700 kg for the 100 m HOEE model. We plan to refine our concepts and create comprehensive designs along with finite element models to assess strength, stiffness, stability, and thermal performance. Additionally, we will establish small-scale testing facilities to address challenges such as the bonding of large, high-strength material sheets within inflatable configurations. Key deliverables will encompass mass and power budgets, evaluations of strength and stiffness, and laboratory testing of essential components. We will also revise the mission concepts for HWO and HOEE in light of the new starshade specifications.Depending on advancements in the HWO mission, starshades may be essential for enhancing our understanding of exoplanets. An inflatable starshade could facilitate their implementation.

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UK develops innovative radiation-resistant steel, marking a significant advancement for fusion energy startups.

To create a miniature Sun on Earth, you'll require a significant amount of robust metal — and plenty of it. View pictures in App save up to 80% data. Scientists in the UK have forged 5.5 tonnes of a new kind of steel capable of withstanding the searing heat and intense neutron radiation of nuclear fusion, the same reaction that powers the Sun and stars. The breakthrough is another boost to Europe’s growing flock of fusion energy startups. A working group known as NEURONE, part of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), has successfully developed reduced-activation ferritic-martensitic steel, commonly referred to as "RAFM." This achievement represents the first instance of RAFM being manufactured on an industrial scale within the UK. “This is really positive and potentially has relevance for all fusionenergy projects,” Ryan Ramsey, COO at British startup First Light Fusion, told TNW.    Fusion reactors heat hydrogen atoms to very high temperatures, creating a charged state of matter known as plasma. By employing magnetic fields or lasers to compress this plasma, they induce the fusion of atoms, resulting in the release of vast amounts of energy that can be harnessed for electricity generation.  In a fusion energy reactor, the plasma can soar to astonishing temperatures of 150 million°C, momentarily turning these machines into the hottest locations in our solar system. To prevent the plasma from touching the metal walls, massive magnets are employed to keep it suspended in the air. The walls themselves are cooled to prevent them from becoming too hot, but standard steel simply cannot withstand the extreme conditions.  Ramsey stated, “The primary issue isn't the heat itself, but rather the damage caused by neutrons.” Neutron radiation can rapidly compromise the inner structures of a nuclear reactor. "If you can't handle that, you'll find yourself frequently shutting down the fusion reactor to replace the walls, which results in a loss of power generation during those periods," he clarified.    View pictures in App save up to 80% data. The internal surfaces of fusion reactors, such as the decommissioned JET tokamak shown in this image, are required to endure extreme temperatures and high levels of radiation. Photo credit: EUROfusion. NEURONE has developed a new type of steel that can endure significant neutron exposure and temperatures reaching as high as 650°C, which could enhance the operational efficiency of upcoming fusion power plants.  For startups such as Oxford University spinout First Light, this development represents a significant advancement towards the ambitious objective of creating a commercially viable fusion reactor.   NEURONE utilized an electric arc furnace to forge the steel, relying on electricity rather than coal, located at the Materials Processing Institute (MPI) in Middlesbrough. According to UKAEA, this innovative forging technique could reduce the cost of producing RAFM by as much as 10 times compared to previous methods.  David Bowden, the leader of the NEURONE programme, stated, “Producing 5.5 tonnes of fusion-grade RAFM steel establishes a strong basis for the affordable manufacturing of this type of fusion steel in future commercial fusion initiatives.”   Despite huge progress, fusion energy has always seemed to be that “20-years-away” technology. But the tides might be changing. According to a poll at the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) forum in London last year, 65% of industry insiders think fusion will generate electricity for the grid at a viable cost by 2035, and 90% by 2040.

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BepiColombo Successfully Concludes Last Flyby of Mercury, Set for Orbital Mission in 2026

Initiated on October 18, 2018, BepiColombo stands as the second and most intricate mission ever designed to orbit the planet Mercury. View pictures in App save up to 80% data. The enigmatic north pole of Mercury unveiled by M-CAM 1 (ESA) The European Space Agency’s BepiColombo‘s sixth and final Mercury flyby, executed on January 8, 2025, successfully set the stage for its planned orbit insertion in late 2026. The ESA/JAXA mission skimmed just a few hundred kilometers above Mercury’s north pole, capturing close-up images revealing potentially icy, permanently shadowed craters and the expansive sunlit northern plains. At 06:59 CET, BepiColombo soared to an altitude of just 295 km above the cold, shadowy night side of Mercury. Approximately seven minutes later, it flew directly over the planet's north pole, offering clear perspectives of Mercury's sunlit northern hemisphere. Following its passage through Mercury’s shadow, BepiColombo’s monitoring camera 1 (M-CAM 1) captured the initial detailed images of Mercury’s surface. As it soared over the ‘terminator’ – the dividing line between daylight and darkness – the spacecraft seized a rare chance to look directly into the perpetually shadowed craters located at the planet's northern pole. We would greatly appreciate your assistance! Could you lend us your support? Every contribution, no matter how small, helps to empower our future. Your vital support helps us preserve our independence from shareholders or affluent owners, ensuring that we can deliver unbiased reporting. This allows us to keep Jewish Business News accessible to all. You can support us for as little as $1 via PayPal at [email protected]. I appreciate it. “This marks the inaugural occasion where we conducted two flyby campaigns consecutively. This latest flyby occurred just over a month after the last one,” remarks Frank Budnik, the Flight Dynamics Manager for BepiColombo. “According to our initial evaluation, the operation went smoothly and without any issues.” “Although the primary mission phase of BepiColombo is still two years away, the six flybys conducted around Mercury have already provided us with critical insights into this lesser-known planet. In the coming weeks, the BepiColombo team will diligently analyze the data from this flyby to uncover as many of Mercury's secrets as possible,” says Geraint Jones, the Project Scientist for BepiColombo at ESA. Initiated on October 18, 2018, BepiColombo stands as the second and most intricate mission ever designed to orbit the planet Mercury. Close to the Sun and more difficult for an orbiter to reach than Saturn, this small desert world is the least explored planet of the inner Solar System. Learning more about Mercury will shed light on the history of the entire Solar System. Equipped with advanced scientific tools, the mission aims to unravel several puzzling mysteries, including: What accounts for the presence of ice in the polar craters of this searing planet? What is the reason behind Mercury's magnetic field? And what could be the origin of the enigmatic 'hollows' found on its surface?

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Lemurs Face Extinction Threat, Even with Their Remarkable Genetic Diversity

View pictures in App save up to 80% data. Sergiy - stock.adobe.com - for illustrative purposes only The development of lemurs is regarded as distinctive since they underwent evolution in complete seclusion on the island of Madagascar millions of years ago. The island boasted a variety of ecosystems, featuring lush tropical forests in the eastern region and arid, dry landscapes in the southwestern part. This resulted in a variety of lemur species, from tiny mouse-sized creatures to massive sloth-like varieties. The lemurs we are familiar with today are small, have large eyes, and inhabit trees. Over 100 species inhabit Madagascar, showcasing significant genetic diversity among them. However, a staggering 90 percent face the threat of extinction. A group of researchers from Spain aimed to uncover the reasons behind the critical endangerment of numerous lemur species, even though they exhibit significant genetic diversity. To achieve this, they analyzed the genomes of 162 lemurs representing 50 distinct species found throughout Madagascar. Their research uncovered the ways in which ecological elements, changes in climate, and recent human actions have influenced the genetic diversity of lemurs throughout history. "According to Joseph Orkin, the lead researcher of the study, 'As climate changes intermittently linked previously isolated environments, lemurs from various species and groups began to interbreed, exchanging genetic material that enhanced their overall diversity.'" "Additionally, it seems that the species with the greatest diversity are those that have fragmented populations spread throughout various ecosystems on the island. This trend of isolation followed by reconnection appears to be enhancing and redistributing genetic diversity across the entire island." Recent human actions have significantly contributed to the decline of lemur populations. Evidence indicates that factors such as deforestation, the growth of human populations, and changes in hunting methods are closely linked to the onset of dramatic decreases in lemur numbers. View pictures in App save up to 80% data. Sergiy – stock.adobe.com – for illustrative purposes only The exact timeline of the first human arrival in Madagascar remains unclear, but it is believed that their population started to increase around a millennium ago. By the 1700s, the island had undergone considerable transformations in its environment. “Upon examining the genetic data related to population decreases, we consistently identified two notable inflection points occurring approximately 1,000 and 300 years ago. It was quite remarkable to observe such a distinct correlation between the periods of human population growth and the reduction in lemur populations,” Orkin remarked. These results may play a vital role in influencing future conservation strategies. The reduction of habitats and deforestation pose significant risks to lemurs by decreasing their population numbers and disrupting the natural links between habitats that facilitated gene flow. In the absence of varied genetic exchanges, the likelihood of inbreeding increases, thereby heightening the risks for species that are already at a disadvantage. Madagascar is just one of many regions worldwide experiencing a decline in biodiversity. The growing human population is driving this issue on a global scale. By increasing our understanding of how human actions impact biodiversity, we can discover more effective ways to safeguard it. The details of the study were published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution. More About:Animals

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A rocket needs to reach a speed of approximately 25,000 miles per hour, known as escape velocity, to break free from Earth's gravitational pull. This speed is necessary because it allows the rocket to overcome the gravitational force that keeps it bound to the planet. If the rocket doesn't achieve this velocity, it will not have enough kinetic energy to counteract the gravitational attraction and will eventually fall back to Earth. The escape velocity is influenced by factors such as Earth's mass and radius, and it ensures that the rocket can travel into space without being pulled back.

View pictures in App save up to 80% data. In January 2024, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, carrying its Crew Dragon capsule, takes off from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to [email protected]. Why does a rocket need to travel at 25,000 miles per hour (approximately 40,000 kilometers per hour) to break free from Earth's gravity? – Bo H., 10 years old, Durham, New Hampshire There’s a reason why a rocket has to go so fast to escape Earth. It’s about gravity – something all of us experience every moment of every day. Gravity is the force that draws you down towards the Earth, and that's beneficial. It ensures that you remain grounded; without it, you would drift off into the vastness of space. But gravity also makes it difficult to leave Earth if you’re a rocket heading for space. Escaping our planet’s gravitational pull is hard – not only is gravity strong, but it also extends far away from Earth. Similar to an inflated balloon. As a rocket scientist, one of the things I do is teach students how rockets overcome gravity. Here’s how it works: Essentially, the rocket has to make thrust – that is, create force – by burning propellant to make hot gases. Then it shoots those hot gases out of a nozzle. It’s sort of like blowing up a balloon, letting go of it and watching it fly away as the air rushes out. View pictures in App save up to 80% data. On July 16, 1969, the Saturn V rocket launched Apollo 11, carrying three American astronauts on their historic journey to the Moon. Image courtesy of Heritage Images/Hulton Archive via Getty Images. More specifically, the rocket propellant consists of both fuel and oxidizer. The fuel is typically something flammable, usually hydrogen, methane or kerosene. The oxidizer is usually liquid oxygen, which reacts with the fuel and allows it to burn. When launching into space and breaking free from Earth's gravity, rockets require a significant amount of force, leading to rapid consumption of propellant. This poses a challenge, as rockets cannot carry an unlimited supply of fuel to maintain continuous thrust; the quantity of propellant necessary would add excessive weight, preventing the rocket from liftoff. What occurs when the fuel is depleted? The propulsion ceases, and gravity begins to decelerate the rocket, eventually leading it to descend back towards Earth. View pictures in App save up to 80% data. A rocket delivers a lateral thrust (indicated by the right arrow), while gravity exerts a downward force toward Earth (shown by the down arrow). The combination of these forces results in the spacecraft's trajectory (marked by the red arrow), allowing it to achieve orbit (illustrated by the yellow path). ESA/ L. Boldt-Christmas Fortunately, scientists can launch the rocket with some sideways momentum so that it misses the Earth when it returns. They can even do this so it continuously falls around the Earth forever. In other words, it goes into orbit, and begins to circle the planet. Many launches intentionally don’t completely leave Earth behind. Thousands of satellites are orbiting our planet right now, and they help phones and TVs work, display weather patterns for meteorologists, and even let you use a credit card to pay for things at the store or gas at the pump. You can sometimes see these satellites in the night sky, including the International Space Station. NASA's Perseverance rover was launched to Mars aboard an Atlas V rocket. Fleeing from Earth But suppose the goal is to let the rocket escape from Earth’s gravity forever so it can fly off into the depths of space. That’s when scientists do a neat trick called staging. They launch with a big rocket, and then, once in space, discard it to use a smaller rocket. That way, the journey can continue without the weight of the bigger rocket, and less propellant is needed. View pictures in App save up to 80% data. In May 2024, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, delivering 23 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit. Photo credit: Joe Raedle via Getty Images. However, staging alone won't suffice; eventually, the rocket will deplete its fuel. Yet, if the rocket reaches a sufficient speed, it can exhaust its propellant and still glide away from Earth indefinitely, unaffected by gravitational pull. It's similar to biking: if you gain enough momentum, you can ascend a hill without needing to pedal. And just like there’s a minimum speed required to coast the bike, there’s a minimum speed a rocket needs to coast away into space: 25,020 mph (about 40,000 kilometers per hour). Scientists call that speed the escape velocity. A rocket needs to go that fast so that the momentum propelling it away from Earth is stronger than the force of gravity pulling it back. Any slower, and you’ll go into an orbit of Earth. Fleeing from Jupiter Larger or more massive objects exert a stronger gravitational force. Therefore, a rocket taking off from a planet that is larger than Earth would require a greater escape velocity to break free from the planet's gravitational influence. For example, Jupiter is the most massive planet in our solar system. It’s so big, it could swallow 1,000 Earths. So it requires a very high escape speed: 133,100 mph (about 214,000 kilometers per hour), more than five times the escape speed of Earth. But the extreme example is a black hole, an object so massive that its escape speed is extraordinarily high. So high, in fact, that even light – which has a speed of 370 million mph (about 600 million kilometers per hour) – is not fast enough to escape. That’s why it’s called a black hole. Hello, curious kids! Do you have a question you’d like an expert to answer? Ask an adult to send your question to [email protected]. Please tell us your name, age and the city where you live. Curiosity knows no bounds, so adults, feel free to share your questions with us as well. While we may not have answers to everything, we promise to try our hardest. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Benjamin L. Emerson, Georgia Institute of Technology Benjamin L. Emerson is associated with the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he instructs courses on rocketry and oversees combustion research initiatives.

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