Category Archives: Humankind

cosmos, Humankind, Science, space, Universe

Is the discovery of black holes emitting radio waves long after devouring stars a groundbreaking revelation that challenges our understanding of these cosmic entities, or does it merely raise more questions about the mysteries of the universe?

Leave a comment

Introduction:
In the vast cosmos, some of the most breathtaking phenomena occur when stars meet their formidable cosmic neighbors, supermassive black holes. The dramatic events that unfold during these encounters have long fascinated astronomers and astrophysicists. Until recently, it was widely believed that the spectacle surrounding such collisions faded away within weeks or months. However, a new revelation has left the scientific community astounded: black holes might have a case of cosmic indigestion, emitting radio waves hundreds of days after devouring a star. Join us as we explore this intriguing cosmic phenomenon.

The Unexpected Discovery:
An international team of astrophysicists has upended our understanding of black hole behavior. They observed radio waves emanating from the vicinity of supermassive black holes, long after these celestial giants had torn apart nearby stars. The implications are profound, suggesting that a significant portion of black holes indulges in a post-feast ritual of ‘burping’ material, and this phenomenon occurs years after the initial star-shredding event. Lead author Yvette Cendes remarks, “No one was expecting this, and we don’t really understand why this might be!”

Unveiling the Mystery:
The research relied on data collected from three powerful radio telescopes: the Very Large Array in the United States, MeerKAT in South Africa, and the Australian Telescope Compact Array. The team meticulously studied 24 supermassive black holes, and their findings, while yet to be peer-reviewed, are available on the pre-print server arxiv.org for the scientific community to explore.

Tidal Disruption Events:
To comprehend this phenomenon, it’s essential to revisit the concept of tidal disruption events. When a star ventures too close to a supermassive black hole, its immense gravitational pull elongates the star into a spaghetti-like structure. In a matter of hours, the star is torn apart, resulting in one of the most brilliant optical flares observed in the Universe. Approximately 20 to 30 percent of these events produce early-stage radio waves. However, researchers typically shift their focus elsewhere after witnessing the initial bright light.

The ‘Jetty’ Surprise:
A groundbreaking discovery last year by Yvette Cendes and her team changed the game. They identified a supermassive black hole, twenty million times more massive than the Sun, emitting jets of radio waves approximately three years after consuming a star. This revelation, nicknamed ‘Jetty McJetface’ or simply ‘Jetty,’ challenged conventional thinking. Cendes ponders, “Jetty was just one of 24 tidal disruption events we were studying… What the heck were the rest of them doing?!”

The Universe: Dangerous Black Holes and Gamma Ray Bursts (S1, E12) | Full Episode

Black Holes: Cosmic Mess-Makers:
Contrary to popular perception, black holes do not consume stars like vacuum cleaners. Instead, they create a cosmic mess, akin to the Cookie Monster devouring cookies. Only a fraction of the stellar material falling into a black hole crosses the event horizon, where not even light can escape. The remaining material is ejected into the galaxy or forms an orbiting debris cloud known as the accretion disc.

Two Possible Explanations:
The authors of the study propose two potential reasons why radio waves might emanate from black holes long after star collisions. One theory suggests that it takes time for the debris encircling the black hole to settle into a stable orbit. The other posits that the debris, loosely bound to the supermassive black hole, forms a spherical envelope that must cool and contract significantly to create an accretion disc. This cooling process might lead to delayed radio wave emissions, offering an alternative explanation for this captivating cosmic phenomenon.

Conclusion:
The revelation of black holes emitting radio waves long after star encounters challenges our understanding of these enigmatic cosmic entities. It invites further exploration into the intricate dynamics of black hole behavior and their intricate relationships with the stars they encounter. As scientists delve deeper into the mysteries of the cosmos, we may uncover even more unexpected cosmic phenomena that reshape our perception of the Universe.

Cited Works:

Maes, Christian. Facts of Matter and Light: Ten Physics Experiments that Shaped Our Understanding of Nature. Springer Nature, 2023.

Gbur, Gregory J. Invisibility: The History and Science of How Not to Be Seen. Yale University Press, 2023.

Henderson, Caspar. A Book of Noises: Notes on the Auraculous. University of Chicago Press, 2023.

Black Holes ‘Burp’ Years After Shredding Stars, And We Don’t Know Why. https://www.sciencealert.com/black-holes-burp-years-after-shredding-stars-and-we-dont-know-why?fbclid=IwAR0d04gSQvrKHFVAAQLWvLu_Ndpuv0NufryX_81ncMqJMuf5hsD_0WbZ7Zs

Culture, genealogy, genetics, Humankind

Is the claim that the living currently outnumber the dead supported by historical data and estimates, or is it merely a myth rooted in misconceptions about population dynamics?

Leave a comment

In the realm of curious numerical claims, there is one that has likely crossed the ears of many: the notion that the living population of Earth currently surpasses the total of all those who have ever walked this planet and subsequently departed. At first glance, such an idea seems plausible, particularly when considering the rapid growth of the global human population over the past two centuries. From a mere 1.6 billion inhabitants in 1900, our numbers have catapulted to just over 8 billion. It would seem reasonable to assume that the living may have momentarily outnumbered the deceased at some fleeting point in this century.

However, as one delves deeper into the available data and estimates, a different narrative emerges and debunks this intriguing claim.

The story begins with the remarkable surge in the global human population over the past two centuries, driven by the transformative forces of industrialization and advancements in agriculture. This population explosion might understandably lead one to speculate that there was a brief period when the living indeed surpassed the cumulative count of those who had passed away.

However, this assumption must be revised according to the data and estimates.

The turning point in the reliability of population data occurred around the year 1800. This marked a significant era when written records, censuses, and the collection of taxes became more common practices in various countries. Before this pivotal juncture, which began approximately 60,000 years after the first modern humans departed Africa, humanity was primarily immersed in a world of estimates and conjecture.

Human Population

Consider the formidable challenges of estimating populations in ancient times. For instance, during the Iron Age in France, from 800 B.C.E. to about 100 C.E., the average life expectancy was 10 to 12 years. Under such formidable conditions, a birth rate of approximately 80 live births per 1,000 individuals would have been necessary for the species to endure. To provide context, today’s high birth rates range from 35 to 45 live births per 1,000 population and are observed in only select sub-Saharan African countries.

To arrive at an estimate, the Population Reference Bureau (P.R.B.) devised a methodology that drew from population data across various historical periods and prehistory. They assumed a decreasing birth rate over time to mirror the declining trend. While this approach provided a rough approximation of birth numbers (and consequently, death numbers), it is essential to acknowledge that accuracy would have greatly benefited from more rigorous record-keeping practices in ancient societies.

According to the P.R.B.’s calculations, a staggering 117 billion births have occurred since 190,000 BCE, far surpassing the 8 billion individuals currently alive. In essence, living people outnumbering the dead finds no support in the available data and historical estimates. It stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and our collective journey through the annals of time.

In closing, this exploration prompts reflection on how our comprehension of past population dynamics has evolved and how data continually shapes our perception of the world’s demographic history.

Cite Works:

Piecuch, Jim, ed. Seven Myths of the American Revolution. Hackett Publishing, 2023.

Piecuch, Jim, ed. Seven Myths of the American Revolution. Hackett Publishing, 2023.

How Many People Have Lived On Earth So Far? https://www.iflscience.com/how-many-people-have-lived-on-earth-so-far-70637?fbclid=IwAR1TeRVrgI0bWllU-41LPr9IMB6DDhe3e5heZlTCraBmNRC2NQ7d-BWf5_E

genetics, Health, Humankind, Public health

Scientists Grow Model Human Embryo Without Sperm or Egg: A Leap Forward in Understanding Human Development

Leave a comment

Introduction

In a groundbreaking experiment that could revolutionize our understanding of human development, scientists have successfully grown a model human embryo without using sperm or egg cells. This unprecedented achievement marks an important milestone in the field of developmental biology. It opens the door to numerous possibilities for studying early human development and the ethical discussions surrounding such advancements.

The Experiment

A team of scientists, utilizing a sophisticated combination of stem cells and carefully controlled environmental conditions, grew a model human embryo that closely mimics natural development up to a particular stage. Researchers could coax stem cells into organizing themselves into a structure resembling a human embryo by utilizing specific growth factors and a tailor-made environment.

The study aims to provide invaluable insights into the earliest stages of human development and address questions that have puzzled scientists. While traditional methods like animal testing offer some information, they still need to completely mirror the complexities of human biology. This model embryo, however, brings us one step closer to understanding the secrets of how our bodies are built.

Applications and Implications

Medical Research

The potential applications of this research are broad and varied. The research could accelerate our understanding of developmental disorders, congenital diseases, and the mysterious processes that guide cellular development. It might also lead to advances in fertility treatments and offer new avenues for studying reproductive health.

Drug Testing

In pharmaceuticals, the ability to test drugs on human-like systems without risking human lives could speed up drug development. New medications could be tested for their effects on early-stage human development, potentially reducing the need for animal testing.

Ethical Considerations

As with any scientific advancement that tinkers with the fundamentals of life, we must address arising ethical concerns. The model embryo cannot develop into an entire human being. However, the research raises questions about the ethical implications of manipulating early human development, even in a lab setting.

Some of the ethical questions that arise include:

  • At what stage does the model embryo become too “human-like” to experiment?
  • Could this research lead to unauthorized or unethical applications, such as human cloning?
  • How can regulations keep up with such rapidly advancing technology?

Future Outlook

While this experiment takes a remarkable step forward, we must consider its limitations. For instance, the model embryo only mimics development up to a particular stage, and there is still much to learn about later phases of human development.

Moreover, ethical guidelines must keep pace with technological advancements. Regulatory bodies and the scientific community must engage in active dialogue to ensure this research is conducted responsibly.

Conclusion

The successful growth of a model human embryo without the use of sperm or egg cells has brought humanity one step closer to unraveling the complexities of our development. This could have broad applications across various medical research and drug development fields, but it also calls for careful ethical considerations.

As we move forward, it is crucial to proceed with curiosity and caution, ensuring that our pursuit of knowledge does not overstep ethical boundaries. Only then can we fully unlock the potential of such pioneering research.

Maiya Focht,  Scientists grew a model human embryo in a lab without a sperm or egg, bringing humans one step closer to understanding the secrets of how our bodies are built. https://www.businessinsider.com/scientists-made-model-human-embryo-without-sperm-or-egg-2023-9?fbclid=IwAR2_R2xaG924N7Xfkg-klAJawJg_eF1vF-f_DaITVSFD-Q1kChNjgjz7Ozg. Accessed on Sep 7, 2023

Behavioral Science, Culture, equal rights, Ethics, human rights, Humankind, Politics, Stigma

Did you know that in the face of anti-Asian prejudice, these organizations agree on the next steps to be taken?

Leave a comment

The United States observes Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

There has been an increase in the amount of violence directed against this community. According to the survey, women reported 61.8 percent of all hate events, with verbal harassment accounting for 63% of all instances and physical assault accounting for 16.2 percent. Stop AAPI Hatred is one of the various organizations formed to assist the AANHPI community. It was founded in March 2020 to detect and react to anti-Asian hate. The San Francisco-based organization invites individuals to report any abuse they have experienced so that the data may be used to better understand what is going on throughout the nation and how to combat it.


They also provide a framework for public policy to prevent harassment and bigotry. Soar Over Hate, located in New York, is another organization that was formed in response to the violence. The organization assists victims of anti-Asian hate crimes in obtaining self-defense weapons. They also provide a grant to high school students as well as a therapeutic fund that covers up to ten free therapy sessions. AAPI Women Lead looks at how AAPI women, girls, and gender-expansive populations are represented in the United States.


The organization, based in Oakland, California, has been working to reduce hate crimes. According to Tran, violence against women and our gender nonconforming or gender expansive groups is intersectional. Racial and patriarchal violence affect Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. A panel on mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness in the AANHPI community will be held during AAPI Women Lead. Acupuncturists, herbal medicine practitioners, and intuitive healers will be on the panel. As Connie Wun, co-founder and executive director, remarked, they reclaim our practices as a component of our resistance.

genetics, Humankind, Science

Would you like to know that a human genome has finally been fully decoded?

Leave a comment

The genome of a single sperm contains the genetic material of one pair of paternal chromosomes.

Researcher Kevin Bishop looks at zebrafish samples. Techniques used to sequence the human genome can also be applied to other species. Ernesto Del Aguila III / National Institutes of Health

Researchers are re-analyzing 92 percent of the genome to look for genetic variants that may be causing illnesses. “We identified many more, tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands” of new variants, says David Dennis. In addition, researchers can better investigate how centromere proteins assemble and what happens when they alter or lose function using the new genome. As part of his research, Evan Eichler aims to decode the genetic code on paternal and maternal chromosomes. By systematically sequencing a large number of individuals from diverse origins, he claims that it would be possible to better understand the genetic variation of the globe and identify relevant genetic variants.

Reference

A human genome has finally been fully decoded. https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/human-genome-finally-fully-decoded-rcna22029?fbclid=IwAR0dGb_i9ckxLcACA777uZcg4BCAUPLDfwMJw2t65P_WNw2rxeHj_i9QU_E