List of All Articles with Tag 'a'

Astronomers have discovered a key ingredient for life at the edge of our Milky Way galaxy. A team from the University of Arizona detected the presence of phosphorus while studying molecular clouds on the outskirts of the galaxy using giant radio telescopes in the US and Spain. Phosphorus is one of the so-called NCHOPS elements that make up the critical ingredients for life on Earth – nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and sulphur. All of the others have already been found on the edge of the galaxy, so the discovery of phosphorus has direct implications for the search for Earth-like planets around distant stars. Their observations of the chemical 74,000 light-years from the centre of the Milky Way calls into question our fundamental understanding of the universe, the researchers said. “The phosphorus we detected is at the edge of the galaxy, where it shouldn’t be,” said Lilia Koelemay, a doctoral student at the University of Arizona who led the research. Theories that could explain its presence include supernova stars, which are typically not found on the edge of galaxies, and low mass stars generating excess neutrons that are then added onto silicon atoms to create phosphorus. “To make phosphorus, you need some kind of violent event,” said Lucy Ziurys, Regents Professor of chemistry and biochemistry and astronomy at Steward Observatory. “It is thought that phosphorus is created in supernova explosions, and for that, you need a star that has at least 20 times the mass of the Sun. In other words, if you’re going to have life, you better be near a supernova, if that’s indeed the only source where phosphorus is created.” The detection of phosphorus at the edge of the galaxy could motivate studies of distant exoplanets, the researchers hope, which have not been properly considered until now due to the assumed lack of the chemical. The research team now plans to examine other molecular clouds in the far reaches of the Milky Way to see if they contain phosphorus. Their discovery was described in a paper, titled ‘Phosphorus-bearing molecules PO and PN at the edge of the galaxy’, in the scientific journal Nature. Read More Astronomers find unprecedented ‘disc’ around distant planet Astronomers discover new six-planet system China unveils ‘foldable’ Mars helicopter in mission to return samples to Earth China unveils ‘foldable’ Mars helicopter in mission to return samples to Earth New images of Mars released by Nasa’s Odyssey orbiter Scientists find planets moving around in strange ‘rhythm’

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 30, 2023--

Netflix has announced that three new games, Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy, will launch on its app in December when the trailer for GTA 6 comes out. Excitement for the new GTA 6 game has reached fever-pitch with fans trying to pre-empt everything from where the game will be set to what will feature in the trailer. Jumping on the hype, Netflix is continuing to strive for its goal to become a top app for games by announcing that Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition is coming to its platform on 14 December. The three games are Grand Theft Auto 3, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, which the streaming platform says have been optimised for mobile gameplay. The clever move by Netflix will likely coincide with the official release of the GTA 6 trailer, which Rockstar Games confirmed will be released in December. Netflix confirmed the games will be playable via the App Store, Google Play and in the Netflix mobile app for subscribers. It comes as Netflix is trying to up the number of users utilising the app for gameplay. According to CNBC, fewer than 1 per cent of Netflix subscribers currently use it daily to play a game on the app, though that figure translates to 2.2 million users. The streaming service also announced titles such as Hades, Death's Door and Braid: Anniversary Edition will be coming to the platform, in a bid to attract more people to play. How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 30, 2023--

A solar company backed by SoftBank Group Corp. and Ares Management Corp. lined up $1.9 billion in financing

Our canine companions could soon be enjoying much longer lifespans, if a drug which claims it can extend dogs’ lives eventually gets approved. The drug, made by a tech firm in California, just cleared a vital hurdle to doing just that, after it got partial approval by regulators in the US. Loyal, a San Francisco-based company founded in 2020, has been researching how it can increase dogs’ lifespans – in particular larger breeds, which tend to die younger. Large and “giant” breeds tend to live to between eight and 12 years. Smaller dogs, such as Chihuahuas, can keep going to the ripe old age of 20. Loyal’s main product, the catchily-titled LOY-001, is designed not only to extend dogs’ lives but also maintain their quality of life. Now, it has passed the “reasonable expectation of effectiveness” test, set by regulators at the US’ Food and Drug Administration. Loyal’s chief executive, Celine Halioua, said: "Loyal was founded with the ambitious goal of developing the first drugs to extend healthy lifespan in dogs. "This milestone is the result of years of careful work by the team. We'll continue to work just as diligently to bring this and our other longevity programs through to FDA approval." Selective breeding of dogs has caused higher levels of hormones which help the animals grow faster. That is also believed to reduce their lifespan, the company said. Big dogs tend to have more of this hormone than their smaller counterparts. Animal rights activists are not yet convinced. Some experts fear it will only serve to extend animals’ suffering. Loyal, on the other hand, says the drug aims to treat doggy diseases which are associated with ageing through preventing them, rather than waiting for the animals to get sick before treating them. The company said that the drug could be available to US customers as early as 2026. So that’s plenty of time for walkies between now and then. How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Meta Platforms' advertising-free subscription service, a fee-based offering rolled out in Europe this month,

COP28 Daily Reports: Sign up for the Green Daily newsletter for comprehensive coverage of the climate summit right

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South Africa needs to more than double climate financing to achieve its emissions reduction targets, according to a

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