Here are today’s most important updates from the realm of Science and Space.
Another Lunar Secret: Webb Finds Moon Around Uranus
James Webb Space Telescope has discovered a new moon going around Uranus at
the edge of the Solar System. Estimated to be about 10 kilometres wide, the moon has remained invisible for decades after the Voyager-2 spacecraft conducted the lunar survey around Uranus. The new moon is smaller and much fainter than the smallest of the previously known inner moons, making it likely that even more complexity remains to be discovered. The latest discovery puts the tally of confirmed moons around Uranus to a whopping 29. Earth, for reference, has just one Moon.
The Universe Is Watching: ‘Eye of Sauron’ Found in Distant Space
A stunning new image of a cosmic jet has helped astronomers unlock the mystery behind the unusually bright emission of high-energy gamma rays and neutrinos from a peculiar celestial object. The source is a blazar—a type of active galaxy powered by a supermassive black hole devouring matter at the heart of a galaxy. They have captured what looks like the mythical "Eye of Sauron" in the distant universe and may have just solved a decade-long cosmic puzzle. Known as PKS 1424+240, this could be one of the brightest sources of high-energy gamma rays and cosmic neutrinos ever observed.
Science Reveals Why Dogs Are Natural Mind-Readers
Thousands of years of co-evolution have given dogs special ways to tune in to our voices, faces and even brain chemistry. From brain regions devoted to processing our speech to the "love hormone" or oxytocin that surges when we lock eyes, your dog's mind is hardwired to pick up on what you're feeling. Dogs' brains have dedicated areas that are sensitive to voice, similar to those in humans. Dogs respond not just to any sound, but to the emotional tone of your voice. Brain scans reveal that emotionally charged sounds – a laugh, a cry, an angry shout – activate dogs' auditory cortex and the amygdala – a part of the brain involved in processing emotions. Dogs are also skilled face readers. When shown images of human faces, dogs exhibit increased brain activity.
Mitochondria Starve Pathogens to Shield Cells from Infection
In a new study, researchers have discovered a surprising ally in the fight against infection: the cell's own mitochondria. Best known for providing energy to cells, mitochondria also play a defensive role by competing with pathogens for vital nutrients. During infection, mitochondria enter a metabolic tug-of-war with intracellular parasites battling for access to folate, thereby inhibiting pathogen growth. Chronic infections impact a substantial portion of the global population, presenting ongoing challenges to health care systems and compromising patient well-being. Boosting mitochondrial metabolism could potentially defend against folate-dependent pathogens. This opens the door to novel therapeutic possibilities.
