Air filtration systems – as well as a host of other supposedly risk-reducing strategies that have proliferated since the COVID-19 pandemic – may be ineffective in real-world situations‚ according to a new analysis from researchers in the UK.In a review of more than 30 studies conducted between 1970 and 2022‚ the team behind the new paper found little evidence that air-purifying technologies such as air filtration‚ germicidal lights‚ and ionizers are actually useful for reducing viral spread in settings such as schools or care homes.It’s an important result. So far‚ decisions taken by various people and organizations to employ tech like this during the pandemic have been largely based on lab results – but “there are many other factors which need to be considered if we are ultimately interested in the potential impact on the likelihood of getting ill‚” said Shaun Fitzgerald‚ Director at the Centre for Climate Repair‚ University of Cambridge‚ who was not involved in the research.“There can be transmission routes beyond aerosols such as via surfaces or droplets emitted by an infector falling directly onto someone else‚” he explained. “And study design is fraught with difficulties in the real world‚ especially so during emergency pandemics.”In some cases‚ even lab results were lacking: the team found only four experiments ever to have collected data about infections in humans breathing filtered air indoors. There was also a “distinct lack” of studies addressing how such technology may (or may not) slow the spread of gastrointestinal illnesses such as norovirus‚ the paper notes.But what evidence they could collect seems clear: there’s currently not much support for the idea that air purification systems help to stop you getting sick.“There is a lot of existing evidence that environmental and surface contamination can be reduced by several air treatment strategies‚ especially germicidal lights and high efficiency particulate air filtration (HEPA)‚” said Julii Brainard‚ senior research associate at the University of East Anglia’s (UEA’s) Norwich Medical School and lead researcher on the project‚ in a statement. “But the combined evidence was that these technologies don’t stop or reduce illness‚” she explained.What’s more‚ the analysis suggests that a lot of previous research in the area is likely suffering from an all-too-common problem in academia: that of publication bias. This is the phenomenon whereby interesting or positive results are more likely to get published than boring or negative ones. It’s not necessarily malicious‚ or even intentional – but on a large enough scale‚ it can be enough to give a skewed or even completely backwards impression of reality.So‚ Brainard explained‚ while “there was some weak evidence that the air treatment methods reduced likelihood of infection... this evidence seems biased and imbalanced. We strongly suspect that there were some relevant studies with very minor or no effect‚ but these were never published.”The results may be “disappointing”‚ she admitted – but they’re an important piece of information in the post-COVID world.“When the COVID pandemic hit‚ many large companies and governments – including the NHS‚ the British military‚ and New York City and regional German governments – investigated installing this type of technology in a bid to reduce airborne virus particles in buildings and small spaces‚” noted coauthor Paul Hunter‚ professor in medicine at UEA’s Norwich Medical School.“But air treatment technologies can be expensive‚” he said. “So it’s reasonable to weigh up the benefits against costs‚ and to understand the current capabilities of such technologies.”Nevertheless‚ air purification systems shouldn’t be entirely discounted just yet. The researchers are clear that no studies on the application of such technologies to contain COVID-19 specifically were included‚ despite a few potentially positive recent results.“Hopefully those studies that have been done during COVID will be published soon‚” Brainard said. “And we can make a more informed judgment about what the value of air treatment may have been during the pandemic.”The study is to be published shortly in Preventative Medicine.

If you combine all the colors in the universe in proportion to the extent they are produced‚ you get a beige-ish white. Realizing that sounded a bit depressing‚ astronomers ran a poll for suggested names that would give the universe the PR boost it needs. Most suggestions centered on the similarity to milky coffee and Cappuccino Cosmico was the in-house choice. However‚ those who had made the identification pulled rank‚ and chose Cosmic Latte instead‚ although the full story has a few extra twists.Around the year 2000‚ Dr Karl Glazebrook‚ then at Johns Hopkins University‚ started a project to determine the average color of the universe. Within the predominant darkness‚ the stars shine in many shades. Astronomers make great use of these colors‚ for example‚ to determine the age and size of individual stars.Average colors are surprisingly important as well. Galaxies filled with hot‚ bright stars have a blueish tinge. Although such stars may represent only a small proportion of a galactic population‚ they emit so much light that a few can outshine a red and yellow majority. Where star formation ceased a long time ago‚ however‚ red stars dominate‚ creating a distinctive average shade that marks a galaxy in decline. It’s much easier to construct such averages for galaxies that fit in a single field of view of a telescope than something we are inside. Glazebrook’s team was one of these trying to find the average color of the Milky Way to determine how our own galaxy compares to others we can see.As a side project to determining whether we live inside a “dead red” galaxy‚ or a green one undergoing the transition from blue to red‚ Glazebrook and colleagues decided to be still more ambitious. By averaging data for from 200‚000 galaxies‚ they hoped to measure the color of the universe as a whole.Their initial announcement placed the entire universe as turquoise or greenish-white‚ not dissimilar to some estimates of the shade of our own galaxy. On a planet where green is the color of life-giving photosynthesis‚ this sounded appealing and won some positive coverage.Less than a year later‚ however‚ the team acknowledged an error in the computer program they had relied on‚ marking themselves true scientists in acknowledging their mistake. The true shade was closer to white‚ with a touch of brown (#FFF8E7)‚ they admitted‚ at least before being redshifted. Coming just a decade after a quiz show had deducted points from contestants for wearing beige‚ Glazebrook expressed his wish for the shade to be referred to under some more positive name.Suggestions were sought – always a dangerous move – and Johns Hopkins researchers voted among the options presented. There was strong support for Big Bang Buff‚ but Cappuccino Cosmico had the most votes (The university only asked for people’s first choice‚ rather than adopting a preferential voting system that would have determined the views of the majority of its faculty).Proving astronomy is not a democracy (Pluto-status aside)‚ the authors of the paper rejected the poll’s outcome and chose Cosmic Latte‚ a name that has stuck ever since – even being adopted by the makers of lesbian and gay dating sites. Officially‚ they were attracted by the fact Italian‚ in which latte means milk‚ was Galileo’s native language‚ However‚ Glazebrook has since become Professor at Swinburne University‚ in the heart of a city that has made the quality of its café latte-making part of its identity‚ so there could be other explanations.Twenty years later‚ the research stands‚ but the color scheme is very human-centric‚ rather than some eternal truth. Aliens may not be able to see in the electromagnetic spectrum at all‚ but that’s unlikely‚ given how outstandingly useful sight is‚ and how often it has evolved on Earth. On the other hand‚ there’s no reason to think they will favor the same part of the spectrum as we do. Science fiction films seldom mention it‚ but it’s quite likely the first extraterrestrial intelligence we encounter will see into what we consider the ultraviolet‚ like bees‚ or the infrared‚ like some snakes.  If so‚ these may weight their perspective on the average color. Hopefully they’ll still like coffee‚ however.

New research has seen scientists use 3D bioprinting to sprout hair follicle-like structures into lab-grown human skin tissue. Researchers at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the US start the process by “growing “ samples of skin and follicle cells in a lab‚ after which they’re mixed with special proteins and other materials to create a so-called “bio-ink”.This substance is then inserted into lab-grown skin using an extremely thin needle that builds up the structure layer by layer‚ just like any form of 3D printing. Eventually‚ the skin cells migrate to the channels surrounding the hair cells‚ creating hair follicle–like structures deeply embedded into the skin's dermis layer.As it stands‚ these artificial tissues only last for two to three weeks‚ which is not enough time for hair strands to develop. Nevertheless‚ given the challenges previously seen in this field‚ the team is pleased with the progress they’ve made.“The reconstruction of hair follicles using human-derived cells has historically been a challenge. Some studies have shown that if these cells are cultured in a three-dimensional environment‚ they can potentially originate new hair follicles or hair shafts‚ and our study builds on this work‚” Dr Pankaj Karande‚ an associate professor of chemical and biological engineering at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute‚ said in a statement.“Our work is a proof-of-concept that hair follicle structures can be created in a highly precise‚ reproducible way using 3D-bioprinting. This kind of automated process is needed to make future biomanufacturing of skin possible‚” he added.      While this might sound like a remedy for hair loss at first glance‚ cosmetic concerns are not the prime reason why this biotechnology is being developed. Instead‚ the aim is to develop lab-grown skin that acts just like natural human skin.Not only does hair make skin look more natural‚ but the follicles are crucial points in the skin that produce sweat‚ help regulate body temperature‚ and contain stem cells that aid with healing. Hair follicles are also important for the absorption of topical medicines and cosmetics‚ meaning their presence is important for lab-grown skin used in drug testing. With that said‚ other researchers are currently looking into the possibility of utilizing 3D-printing technology for future hair loss treatments.“Right now‚ contemporary skin models — the engineered structures that mimic human skin — are quite simple. Increasing their complexity by adding hair follicles would give us even more information about how skin interacts with topical products‚” said Dr Carolina Catarino‚ first author of the study.“Dr Karande’s lab is at the forefront of skin tissue engineering. This team has already successfully printed skin with working blood vessels‚ and this latest research is an exciting next step in developing and testing better treatments for burns and other skin conditions‚” added Deepak Vashishth from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.The new study is published in the journal Science Advances.

The astonishing discovery of 27 fossil bird footprints dating back 120 to 128 million years is changing the way we view avian evolution and migration. Found in the Wonthaggi Formation south of Melbourne‚ they were laid down in the Early Cretaceous and created by birds stepping across soft sand or mud.The footprints are so old that they were stepping across a planet in which Australia was still connected to Antarctica‚ making them the earliest known Gondwanan bird tracks. When we imagine dinosaurs we don’t often insert birds into the picture‚ but this discovery demonstrates that they were very much a part of the ecosystem‚ and were already migrating to capitalize on the changing food availability at the poles.Finding fossilized prints like these is a remarkable feat‚ not only because they are difficult to spot‚ but also because it’s rare much is ever left behind in the case of delicate birds. The Wonthaggi Formation where they were found has yielded only one bird bone fossil to date – a wishbone – as well as a few feathers‚ and the researchers say it’s far from surprising.“Birds have such thin and tiny bones‚” said first author Anthony Martin in a statement‚ a professor in Emory University’s Department of Environmental Sciences. “Think of the likelihood of a sparrow being preserved in the geologic record as opposed to an elephant.”Searching for these nuanced witness marks falls under ichnology‚ the study of traces of life (looking for things like tracks‚ burrows‚ nests‚ and tooth marks)‚ which is a focus area for Martin. However‚ it was the skilful eye of co-author Melissa Lowery‚ a local volunteer fossil hunter‚ that led to the discovery of the first prints in Wonthaggi back in 2020. “Melissa is incredibly skilled at finding fossil tracks‚” said Martin. “Some of these tracks are subtle even for me‚ and I have lots of experience and training.”Finding the ancient prints was made extra difficult by the fact that most of them were only exposed at low tide‚ but their coastal home means a few have been accessorized with marine life‚ including algae‚ barnacles‚ and mollusks. Peter Swinkels came to the rescue in helping to preserve the delicate tracks. A taxidermist at Museums Victoria Research Institute‚ Swinkels is also an expert at using molds and casts to preserve specimens such as prints.A good thing too‚ as many of the remarkable finds didn’t hang around long.“Seven of the tracks that Melissa found in 2020 are no longer there‚” Martin continued. “Some fossils‚ including tracks‚ are exposed only for a brief amount of time after being buried for millions of years. We humans have to rush in and document them before they disappear again.”The study is published in PLOS ONE.

Modern day Texas is home to deer‚ rattlesnakes‚ and bobcats‚ to name a few animals‚ and – according to news from a de-extinction company – soon‚ it might also have mammoths. The company behind the ambitious target is Colossal Biosciences‚ and it’s their goal to have living‚ breathing mammoths at their Texas-based facility by 2028.“Colossal Biosciences is‚ to our knowledge at least‚ the world’s first de-extinction and species preservation company‚” founder Ben Lamm told IFLScience during an interview about whether or not we can bring back dinosaurs. “What that means to us is looking at and understanding which genes are associated with the core phenotypes‚ or physical attributes‚ that existed in an extinct animal.”“For example‚ for the woolly mammoth‚ it’s the dome cranium‚ the curved tusk‚ and whatever is making it cold-tolerant‚ as well as a lot of things under the hood. Things like how nerve endings respond to freezing temperatures‚ how the body produces haemoglobin‚ and the shaggy wool coat.”Finding those genes means first looking at an extinct animal’s closest living relative‚ and in the case of the mammoth‚ that’s the Asian elephant‚ which is 99.6 percent the same‚ genetically speaking. “What we’re asking is how can we at Colossal understand the core genes that made elephants cold tolerant‚” Lamm continued. “Those genes are now extinct‚ so how do we de-extinct those genes and put them into the architecture‚ if you will‚ of an existing living animal?”“If we can de-extinct those genes‚ then you have the mammoth 2.0.”The route towards meeting that mammoth 2.0 in the flesh involves removing the nucleus from an egg cell of an Asian elephant and replacing it with a nucleus packed full of all the genes for the traits Lamm mentioned a mammoth needs to thrive (cold tolerance‚ curved tusks‚ shaggy wool coat etc.). That means it would be a kind of cold-tolerant elephant hybrid‚ something PopSci reports fellow Colossal Biosciences founder George Church compares to creating “the cuddly version of a velociraptor”.Some have questioned if pursuing the mammoth at a time when so many extant animals are on the brink is the best route forward‚ but it’s hoped that the novel technologies and discoveries yielded from the de-extinction of ancient animals could benefit modern ones‚ too.“All of the technologies that we develop on the path to de-extinction‚ some of them have applications to human healthcare which we are monetizing‚” continued Lamm. “We did that last year‚ we spun out our first computational biology platform‚ but all the technologies that could add to assisted reproductive technologies or conservation groups for zoos or animal groups worldwide‚ we are subsidizing and giving to the world for free.”“We think it could be transformative for conservation. So‚ this de-extinction tool kit that we’re building over time with our species‚ we want to make available and free for every conservation group out there.”Colossal Biosciences has also argued that the de-extinction of the woolly mammoth could also help to halt‚ or perhaps even reverse‚ some of the effects of climate change. They suggest that mammoths grazing and roaming around the Arctic tundra will allow grasslands to thrive‚ which would help slow thawing and the release of stored greenhouse gases within the permafrost.Perhaps in 2028‚ we'll find out.

Visitors to Hawai'i may not be aware that the 50th US state holds a unique secret – it is home to the longest lava tube in the world.What is a lava tube?As a set of islands created by volcanic activity‚ Hawai'i is dotted with numerous lava tubes. These natural formations‚ sometimes referred to as pyroducts‚ are essentially underground conduits created by lava flows. When lava stops being propelled by an eruption‚ or if it ends up being diverted‚ the flow can leave behind these massive empty tunnels that form networks of caves.The walls and ceilings of these tunnels can sometimes have incredible drip-like formations extending from them. These are created as the lava levels subside – like melted wax on a candle.Generally speaking‚ it can take up to a year for the lava to cool to an extent that it can be approached by living organisms‚ but once it has the cave networks are quickly colonized by all sorts of unique troglobites – animals that live in caves. These subterranean beasties can include insects and spiders‚ as well as species of various microbes that cannot be found anywhere else.Kazumura CaveAlthough Hawai'i can boast plenty of lava tubes across its islands‚ the biggest by far is the Kazumura Cave‚ which is located around 19.3 kilometers (12 miles) south of Hilo‚ a town on what is commonly called the Big Island. This cave stretches over 65 km (40 miles) in length and reaches over half a mile (0.8 km) in depth. It is both the longest and deepest lava tube in the world.  According to the Indigenous Polynesian people‚ some of the numerous entrances to the tube (there are estimated to be around 100) were entrances to a kind of underworld realm. These entrances were believed to be associated with the goddess of fire‚ Pele‚ and so were sacred. From time to time‚ people of importance were buried in them. However‚ it is clear that humans used the tunnels for other practical purposes too.During hard times‚ the local people could use the caves to shelter from the weather or to evade their enemies. Archaeological excavation of middens found stone tools and other artifacts that attest to their use. Some of the chambers have also been turned into rudimentary living quarters‚ complete with hearths and areas for sleep.The lava tubes were also a valuable site for collecting water‚ as there are few suitable standing lakes and streams on Hawai'i’s islands. As such‚ people can venture into the depths of the lava tubes where they can collect water that drips from the ceilings as it filters down through the porous volcanic rock from the surface.As such‚ the Kazumura Caves represent a valuable link between Hawai'i's geological past and its cultural history. Beyond its awe-inspiring formations‚ this subterranean realm has been intertwined with the lives of generations of people who have lived on the islands. 

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Mark Finchem is the creator and owner of the Election Fairness Institute. Seth Keshel researches election fraud. Mark begins the conversation discussing how the election are fraud lent and the latest elections were rigged. Seth picks up the conversation explaining that the system was designed to cheat and the only way forward is election transparency. Trump is ready to show the world how the [DS] cheated in the elections‚ soon the world will know. Once the people see how the cheating is done and how the [DS] works with foreign governments to overthrow the US government it is game over. Time to show the world.