The transmission of deep notes within red giant stars can tell us their distances‚ providing a new way to measure the universe. That could prove useful to astronomers under any circumstances – but even more so when measurements of cosmic distances have put question marks over our models of the universe‚ which some consider a crisis in cosmology.Astronomers agree the universe is expanding‚ and that the rate of expansion is increasing. However‚ the two main ways used to measure that growth produce conflicting results‚ known as the Hubble tension. Once‚ the error bars on each method were wide enough that there was some overlap. However‚ as new instruments have improved our precision‚ that has disappeared. At least one of the measurements (or the conclusions we draw from it) must be wrong – but we don’t know which one‚ or why. Since so much else about the way we see the universe is derived from that rate of expansion‚ resolving the question has become a priority. Perhaps another method could act as a tiebreaker.That’s the hope of a team of researchers who have published evidence showing a subcategory of red giant stars can provide an alternative measure of the universe’s expansion rate. Their studies have been too close to home to be used in that way yet‚ but the potential is there.As stars near the end of their life‚ running out of hydrogen to fuse‚ they cool and puff up‚ becoming red giants. Eventually‚ they start fusing helium instead‚ and around the time of transition that they are known as “tip of the red giant branch” (TRGB) stars.Many stars – particularly red giants – undergo variations in brightness‚ owing to giant sound waves bouncing back and forth within them. The researchers divided TRGB stars in the Magellanic Clouds into populations based on the length of time they take to vibrate. They found the group with slower vibrations have the consistent characteristics that make them valuable to astronomers‚ whereas those with higher notes are younger and more likely to be rich in metals.“Younger red giant stars near the TRGB are a little less bright than their older cousins‚” study author Richard Anderson‚ of the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne‚ said in a statement. “The acoustic oscillations that we observe as brightness fluctuations allow us to understand which type of star we're dealing with: The older stars oscillate at lower frequency – just like a baritone sings with a deeper voice than a tenor!”Knowing a star’s spot on the TRGB allows us to calculate its true brightness more precisely. Combining this with how much light we see allows us to measure the distance to TRGB stars in more remote galaxies. The potential to use TRGB stars to measure distance has been known for a while‚ but previous efforts have been plagued by uncertainty about true luminosity‚ and therefore considered less reliable than using Cepheid variables. Timing the oscillations could address this.Measuring the movement of these stars‚ and the galaxies in which they exist‚ using their redshift is relatively easy. Matching the distance and the speed of movement provides a way to measure the universe’s growth."We found that the acoustic oscillations of red giant stars tell us how to best measure cosmic distances using the 'tip of the red giant branch' method‚" Anderson said.The use of objects of known intrinsic brightness is similar to one of the existing measures‚ which uses Type Ia supernovae. These are cherished by astronomers because their brightness at their peak is consistent‚ giving us a good idea of how bright they really are. Like the TRGB stars‚ matching this with our measured brightness and the redshift allows us to compare distance and expansion‚ providing one side of the Hubble tension. The conflicting results come from measurements of the cosmic background radiation. TRGB stars are not as bright as supernovae‚ so we can’t use this method over equally enormous distances. On the other hand‚ they are more common and can be measured at our leisure‚ rather than only occurring briefly. Consequently‚ we can use TRGB stars to calibrate our measurements for closer galaxies in which supernovae have been observed.If‚ as some suspect‚ the solution to the Hubble tension is that there is something wrong with our Type Ia supernovae observations or how we are interpreting these‚ this could be the way to find it out.The study is published open access in the journal Astrophysical Journal Letters 

Ants have long been a source of food across the globe‚ and each species has its own unique flavor. Researchers have analyzed these edible ants to get an idea of where their delectable tastes and smells come from‚ highlighting the untapped potential for their use in culinary settings in countries that have historically been reticent to put insects on the menu.Need an acidic‚ vinegary twist? Black ants have you covered‚ packed full of formic acid‚ which is a compound they secrete from venom glands. This could enable chefs to swap our vinegar and lemon juice‚ and could be a more sustainable source of the flavor profile.Want to get the meaty‚ fatty aroma of burgers and sausages on the grill? Chicatana ants can do that thanks to aldehydes and pyrazine in their little segmented bodies‚ which match those produced when meats and bread are cooked. This could plus up meat alternatives by replicating the flavors of real meat‚ which as we know‚ is an expensive industry for the planet when it comes to emissions‚ water use‚ and climate change.  By better understanding the flavor potential of edible ants‚ not only do the researchers hope that they can provide new culinary opportunities when it comes to flavor and texture‚ but also a way to pack more nutrition into food.“They can have very diverse and interesting flavor profiles‚” said Changqi Liu‚ an associate professor of food science‚ in a statement‚ “and that really increases the culinary possibilities of using these insects to create delicious food. I don't want people to feel that they are making a sacrifice by eating these insects. I want to show that they can actually taste very good‚ while being nutritious and good for the environment.”They were able to pick apart the ant species’ flavors and aromas by identifying the volatile compounds present in samples using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The resulting odors were then matched using an olfactometer‚ a piece of kit that enables scientists to deliver specific amounts and durations of smells to a human.Chicatana ants can add a meaty‚ fatty aroma to meals thanks to aldehydes and pyrazine which they use for chemical signals.Image credit: Changqi LiuNot all of the volatiles identified could be sensed by the human nose‚ and the team eventually figured out that these chemicals were ant pheromones. These chemical signals are used in a variety of ways‚ from trail marking and nestmate recognition to recruitment and alarm signaling.While the rich and diverse flavor profiles of edible ants may hold a lot of potential in the kitchen‚ and for future generations‚ they won’t be suitable for everyone. A common allergen for people who can’t tolerate crustaceans and shellfish is the muscle protein tropomyosin‚ which is found in a lot of invertebrates. Furthermore‚ while the large-scale farming of insects is still new‚ it might be an expensive alternative‚ even if it does have the potential to be more sustainable longer-term.   So‚ still a ways to go before chicatana chips sit alongside Cheetos‚ but we’ve taken a delicious step towards a more diverse‚ delicious‚ and nutritious approach to seasoning.The research is being presented at ACS Spring 2024‚ a meeting of the American Chemical Society.

With their extraordinarily long tentacles and elusive behavior‚ bigfin squids are arguably one of the most alluring animals of the deep sea. Sightings of live individuals in the wild are extremely rare‚ but an increasing number of observations have been made in recent years thanks to advancements in deep-sea exploration technology.Bigfin squids belong to the genus Magnapinna‚ which means “great fin” in Latin. There are just three described species – M. atlantica‚ M. pacifica‚ and M. talismani – but there are likely to be many more out there in the ocean‚ as yet undiscovered. Their name alludes to the large‚ heart-shaped fins that sit on top of their head and help them move around the ocean. How Big Is the Bigfin Squid?Along with their big fin‚ their defining features are the spindly tentacles that dangle from their bodies for several meters. The largest known bigfin squid was 6.4 meters (21 feet) in total‚ with tentacles that were 6.1 meters (20 feet) long.Where Do Bigfin Squid Live?Bigfin squids live throughout the world's oceans‚ from the Atlantic to the Pacific‚ but only at extremely deep depths.They have been documented at depths of 6‚212 meters (20‚381 feet)‚ making them the deepest-dwelling species of squid known to science. Another bigfin squid‚ spotted at a depth of 1‚961 meters (6‚434 feet) in the Northern Gulf of Mexico during an expedition by the NOAA in 2012.Image credit: NOAA Ocean ExplorationIn fact‚ it’s the first known squid to inhabit the hadal zone‚ the deepest region of the ocean that starts at 6‚000 meters (19‚685 feet) below the water's surface. These zones comprise 45 percent of the ocean's depth range but only 1 percent of the seafloor area‚ as they're only located within oceanic trenches far below the rest of the seafloor.When Were Bigfin Squid Discovered?Rumors of their existence have existed for centuries. One of the first times they were documented was in 1883 when an individual washed up in the Azores‚ a Portuguese archipelago in the mid-Atlantic. Its poor condition made it difficult to describe‚ but it most likely belonged to the species M. talismani.Magnapinnidae wasn’t formally described until 1998 when scientists came across two dead juvenile specimens. One was found floating around the eastern Pacific Ocean‚ while the other was recovered from the stomach of a lancetfish.Footage of Bigfin SquidThe first video of a bigfin squid was thought to have been captured in the Gulf of Mexico in January 2000. Around this time‚ more footage of a bigfin squid was also recorded in the waters around Hawai'i. It turned out that deepsea explorers had previously captured encounters with bigfin squids before‚ the earliest being in 1988‚ but they were unaware of what they had caught on camera.In the past few decades‚ just 20 or so observations of living bigfin squid have been made by scientists‚ leaving many aspects of their behavior and life to be a complete mystery. One interesting video observation of a bigfin squid was shot in 2017 when researchers were filming from a remotely operated vehicle at a depth of 3‚056 meters (over 10‚000 feet) in the Great Australian Bight. Remarkably‚ the Magnapinna squid became caught in the thruster turbulence of the drone submarine‚ causing it to spin uncontrollably in a vortex current.                                         Perhaps the most famous video of a bigfin squid can be seen above and was filmed in November 2007 at an oil drilling site owned by Shell in the Perdido region of Alaminos Canyon in the Gulf of Mexico. The clip of the squid went viral‚ no doubt thanks to the dim lighting and jerky filming that gave the video a deeply creepy mood. The Many Unknowns of Bigfin SquidBigfin squid have never been seen consuming food‚ so it’s unknown how they hunt prey and eat. With their skinny‚ seemingly impractical tentacles‚ it’s hard to even speculate how they might do so. Interestingly‚ scientists have only managed to get physical samples of juvenile bigfin squid‚ although they have gathered video observations of adults – or at least what scientists presume to be their adult form. As such‚ little is known about their life cycle. Scientists also don't know how prolific these animals are. Are they actually rare? Or is their apparent scarcity just a reflection of how little of the world's oceans we have explored? 

Alien hunters believe that they should focus their attention on USOs – Unidentified Submersible Objects. There are numerous reports of the emergence of USOs from all over the world‚ with the majority of such facilities said to be concentrated in certain parts of the planet. Alien hunter Nigel Watson‚ who has been collecting various reports of the appearance of unknown and possibly extraterrestrial objects on Earth‚ says that due to the fact that our planet is covered with so much water‚ it is not surprising that UFOs are often sighted over or near huge bodies of water. According to him‚ these UFOs‚ which can be called USOs‚ are often observed in the North Sea and off the coast of California and Puerto Rico. Former US Navy pilot David Fravor described how a fellow pilot told him about a meeting with an USO. He saw a large round “dark mass” that was not a submarine‚ but was in the water and rising from the depths. A pilot who was hauling spent training munitions out of the sea in a US Navy helicopter said the training torpedo he was sent to retrieve was pulled into the sea by another object. The torpedo never surfaced. This happened near Puerto Rico. In the late sixties of the last century‚ intense UFO movement was noticed at the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay. A former Marine‚ who wished to remain anonymous‚ said that UFOs flew overhead at a relatively low altitude almost every night. Most of these objects were between 15 and 30 meters wide and had small red glowing dots along their bodies. The Marine claims he was ordered not to discuss sightings of these objects. According to Bob McGuire from Virginia Tech‚ USA‚ he witnessed an unknown object floating underwater above the USS submarine. Hampton at speeds exceeding the speed of sound. McGuire said the submarine’s onboard sonar detected the USO. McGuire‚ who was on the submarine doing classified work‚ says the crew decided not to investigate so they could focus on their mission. According to the scientist’s report‚ the meeting with the fast-moving NGO lasted only a few seconds. In 2014‚ alien hunters spotted what many called an “alien base” about 600 meters underwater off the coast of California. There were between 50 and 100 accounts of USOs going in and out of the water. Later‚ an unusual underwater “structure” noticed on Google Earth maps‚ and which was considered an “alien base‚” was called by scientists a common natural phenomenon unrelated to UFOs. The post UFOs are actually USOs: unidentified objects love water more than air appeared first on Anomalien.com.

Click to Skip Ahead Reasons Should I Stop It? Prevention Seeing a mother cat get aggressive with her kittens can be surprising‚ but it’s not all that uncommon. Cats attacking their kittens can happen for various reasons; most are pretty normal and nothing to be concerned about as long as the kittens aren’t in any real danger‚ whereas others may involve a trip to the vet for a health checkup. Let’s explore the possibilities. The 7 Reasons Why Mother Cats Attack Their Older Kittens 1. The Kittens Are Grown Up In nature‚ a mother cat’s role is not only to feed and protect her kittens but also to prepare them to branch out on their own. Kittens can reach sexual maturity as early as 4 months‚ and it may be at this point that a mother cat feels that her kittens are ready to face the world without her guidance. She may get hostile towards them to encourage them to “fly the nest.” This is how a cat shows her not-so-little-anymore ones that they can no longer rely on her. Image Credit: Frau aus UA‚ Shutterstock 2. She’s in Heat Again Cats can go back into heat very quickly after having a litter.  This can be in as little as 8 weeks after giving birth.  If this happens‚ the queen may feel it is time to wean her litter in order to prepare for another pregnancy. 3. Redirected Aggression If cats are frightened or aggressively aroused by something they’ve seen but that they’ve not been able to get to‚ they can lash out on whoever or whatever is closest to them.  There can be a delay in the reaction‚ so a cat that passed by the window half an hour ago could be the cause of your mother cat lashing out at her approaching kitten. Image Credit: DreamBig‚ Shutterstock 4. Irritation or Illness Imagine yourself in mama cat’s position for a moment—you’re trying to enjoy a well-deserved snooze‚ but your five or six young’uns are using you as a climbing frame and getting up to all kinds of mischief to get your attention. Make no mistake‚ when a mother cat is irritated with her kittens‚ she could well lash out (swiping‚ bopping‚ biting‚ etc.) to get them to back off and give her some peace. When a mother cat isn’t feeling well because she’s sick or injured‚ it’s not unusual for her to behave more aggressively than usual with her kittens. When cats are poorly‚ they don’t want to interact—they want to be left in peace. Kittens won’t understand this and will want to play and snuggle with mom as usual‚ which could trigger her to lash out because she wants to be left alone. If a mother cat has mastitis (inflammation of the mammary gland/s) for example‚ it will be painful for her to feed the kittens‚ so she may be more aggressive than usual. Signs of illness or pain in cats include isolating themselves‚ being lethargic‚ appetite changes‚ changes in bathroom habitats‚ sudden mood changes‚ poor coat condition‚ and poor coordination‚ but these are just a few examples. If you suspect that your cat is unwell in any way‚ please contact a vet. 5. Correcting Bad Behavior One of the most important lessons a kitten learns from their mother is how to socialize and interact with other cats appropriately. If one of her kittens is behaving in a way that she doesn’t like‚ she will typically walk away to show the little one that she will not tolerate their foolishness. If the kitten continues being naughty‚ she will proceed to vocal correction (hissing‚ growling‚ and/or meowing). If vocal correction doesn’t do the trick‚ she will use physical correction‚ which involves swiping at‚ bopping‚ or biting the offender. She doesn’t mean to hurt the kitten; she’s just trying to show what is and isn’t acceptable. Image Credit: Chendongshan – Shutterstock 6. Territorial Behavior Cats are territorial animals and territorial behavior can be seen between a mother cat and her kittens once they reach sexual maturity.   Grown-up kittens can become a threat in terms of food and other resources‚ including space. This is a particular problem in smaller homes with multiple cats. If the kittens are trespassing in mom’s favorite snoozing spot‚ don’t be surprised if she takes a swing at them as a stark reminder that it’s her territory. 7. Play It’s common for cats to play-bite and wrestle with their companions‚ but when it’s a big mama cat versus a kitten‚ it might look like an attack when it’s just play. Signs that mom is only playing include taking turns to wrestle‚ chase‚ and pounce‚ bouncy rather than rigid body language‚ a lack of vocalizations‚ and not getting those claws out. Image Credit: Oleg Opryshko‚ Shutterstock Should I Stop a Mother Cat Attacking Her Older Kittens? In most cases‚ no—just let her do her thing. She’s probably just putting the kittens in their place or teaching them how to interact appropriately‚ and these are important lessons for kittens to learn from their mothers. You should only intervene if it seems like the mother cat is really hurting her kitten or the attack seems especially vicious and prolonged. Tips for Preventing Mother-Kitten Attacks Though an occasional bite or swipe is normal‚ if your cat is attacking her kittens often‚ it might be time to reassess if her boundaries are being overstepped or her resources threatened a little too frequently. Here are some tips for keeping mama cat happy: Make sure she has enough food and water. Separate the kittens from mom while she’s eating if they have a habit of stealing her food. Make sure mom’s favorite spots are just for her. Provide a safe‚ private spot for mom to retreat to when she needs to. Provide plenty of space for the kittens to seek out their own territory. Reduce stress in the environment as much as possible. If the mother cat is aggressive often‚ you might want to seek the help of a professional behaviorist. Find homes for kittens at 8-10 weeks to give mom back her territory. Book mama cat in to be spayed so that she doesn’t get pregnant again. Conclusion The majority of the time‚ mother cats show aggression towards their older kittens to teach them a lesson or due to territorial behavior‚ and it’s not abnormal in any way. However‚ if this behavior is becoming frequent‚ it could be a signal that the mother cat is unwell‚ is too stressed‚ or that the kittens need to be weaned and removed from her territory.  If you suspect your mother cat is unwell‚ please contact a vet for advice.  If a cat becomes aggressive with her kittens (especially if they are under 8 weeks) it is a good idea not to breed from that cat again and to get her neutered as this behavior may well recur with future litters. Sources https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/recognizing-signs-of-illness-in-cats https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/estrus-cycles-in-cats#:~:text=Cats%20have%20their%20first%20estrous‚as%20a%20cat%27s%20heat%20cycle https://www.petmd.com/cat/behavior/cat-aggression-fighting-biting-and-attacking https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/aggression-cats Featured Image Credit: Margarett24‚ Shutterstock The post Why Do Mother Cats Attack Their Older Kittens? 7 Vet-Verified Reasons appeared first on Pet Keen.

Since the American founding‚ debates have raged among the political class over control of the halls of Congress. During the constitutional convention 237 years ago‚ the most heated exchanges revolved around the allocation of seats to each state in the House of Representatives. Pro-slavery state representatives demanded that the census count their slaves to gain more representation for their states. Abolitionists countered‚ demanding the count include only citizens and insisting on addressing the slavery issue instead of using it as a tool for power manipulation. As millions move from California and New York to Texas‚ Florida‚ Tennessee‚ and Idaho‚ their electoral power will shift. Today‚ Congress grapples once again with census inclusion‚ with certain representatives exploiting a group for their own benefit amidst the largest influx of illegal immigration in our nation’s history. Why? The census matters because it dictates the distribution of the 435 members of the House of Representatives among the states. A larger state population means more seats in the People’s House. Proportionality in the House of Representatives has recently raised concerns for blue states experiencing significant emigration to America’s red bastions of freedom. As millions move from California and New York to Texas‚ Florida‚ Tennessee‚ and Idaho‚ their electoral power shifts. Yet as citizens head for redder climes‚ the influx of immigrants to blue sanctuary cities presents an opportunity for states with declining populations to offset their numerical losses. This benefit may explain Democrats’ lack of meaningful border security efforts. In response‚ Republicans have pursued a census that counts only U.S. citizens for state populations. Many Americans became aware of the problem in 2019‚ when President Trump attempted to include a citizenship question in the 2020 census. Although the Supreme Court barred Trump’s Commerce Department from adding the question through a bureaucratic process‚ Congress always had the power to require such a question by law. Understanding this — and rejecting the Democrats’ “sheer power grab” — Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) recently tried to legislate the citizenship question through an amendment to the Democrats' new spending bill. The amendment aimed to exclude noncitizens from census counts but failed to pass the Democrat-controlled Senate. Progressives and immigration groups hailed the amendment's defeat as a victory for immigrants' rights and voices. However‚ the vote echoes the intense debates over slavery at the Continental Convention in 1787‚ where the modern Democratic party's forerunners insisted on counting slaves for population numbers‚ revealing a priority for power over human welfare. Clear dangers await those crossing the United States border illegally‚ from environmental threats to risks posed by human traffickers. Despite the Democrats' self-portrayal as heroes of immigration‚ their refusal to address the consequences of open borders shows their actual priorities. The Democratic Party‚ not unlike their forebears among the slave-owning class‚ counts as many residents as possible within state borders‚ showing little concern for their welfare. Their interest lies not in the immigrants' voices but in the numbers they add to the population. If Hagerty and the Republican Party really want to resolve the border crisis‚ compromise might be necessary. In negotiating‚ however‚ they would do well to remember the founders‚ who always kept their opponents’ true objectives in view.

Animal Well‚ the phenomenal-looking ethereal Metroidvania with some incredible sound design‚ finally has a release date‚ which is a lot sooner than we might have thought. Set on the backdrop of a pitch-black cave illuminated by a smattering of neon visuals‚ this is a Metroidvania that could very well be one of the best in 2024. Continue reading 2024’s most promising indie Metroidvania is coming to Steam real soon MORE FROM PCGAMESN: best platform games‚ best indie games‚ best free games

Does Dragon's Dogma 2 have an offline mode? Capcom's 2012 epic has finally got its sequel more than 12 years on‚ but many of us have been wondering how essential an internet connection is‚ in this constantly online world. While DD2 has some fun online features‚ the ability to disconnect and immerse in its world is more than appealing. With the Dragon's Dogma 2 release date around the corner‚ brush up on the DD2 system requirements so you're not caught out when the time comes. From the looks of things‚ it could be quite taxing on your rig‚ so make sure you're set to enjoy Dragon's Dogma 2 and the story of the Arisen when the time comes. Continue reading Can you play Dragon’s Dogma 2 offline? MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Dragon's Dogma 2 release date‚ Dragon's Dogma 2 vocations‚ Dragon's Dogma 2 system requirements

VR gaming is in a boom period thanks to the successful launch of the Meta Quest 3 and a recent string of boundary-pushing game releases. Axis Lite has the chance to play a big role in immersive VR moving forward‚ and in its current state‚ it is a great peek into where virtual reality is heading. While a convoluted setup process might turn some away‚ once sorted‚ the Axis Lite is a great showcase for next-level immersion in VR gaming.  Buying any of the best VR headsets is already an expensive game‚ so if you’re looking to push your experiences further‚ there is a sizable cost involved. The Axis Lite is reasonably priced in my opinion‚ but it still ultimately feels targeted towards an enthusiast audience. Continue reading Axis Lite review – improved immersion‚ but limited compatibility MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card‚ Best gaming PC‚ Best SSD for gaming

Intel has opened a “special deal” with select PC manufacturers‚ which enables these system builders to officially dismantle its new hot-running Intel Core i9 14900KS to improve its cooling‚ with Intel still covering the doctored CPU under its warranty. This process is called 'delidding' among overclockers and PC enthusiasts‚ and it’s never been officially endorsed by Intel before‚ as it involves taking the CPU package apart. Continue reading Intel 14900KS runs so hot‚ PC makers can officially dismantle it MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Core i5 14600K review‚ Best gaming CPU‚ Core i9 14900K review