science

Link to paper https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-025-02074-x

Scientists in Florida believe they have identified a “tipping point” in atmospheric conditions in the Atlantic Ocean they say caused giant clumps of toxic seaweed to inundate beaches around the Caribbean in recent summers.

They identified atmospheric pressure changes over the Atlantic beginning around 2009 as the tipping point, with variations in circulation and wind patterns pushing more sargassum into the warmer waters of the tropics, where it grew through photosynthesis into the massive blooms that eventually ended up on the beaches of the Caribbean and the US Gulf coast.

Link to the study itself: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2024.102630

Although only a relatively long summary if you don't have University access.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/27218964

Scripps Research scientists created a stable form of carnosic acid, observing greater memory function and other disease improvements in mice.

Summary

US immigration officers denied entry to a French scientist traveling to Houston after finding phone messages criticizing the Trump administration.

French research minister Philippe Baptiste condemned the decision, stressing the importance of academic freedom.

US authorities reportedly accused the scientist of "hateful and conspiratorial messages" but later dropped charges.

Baptiste has been vocal against Trump and Elon Musk for cutting research funding and invited American scientists to relocate to France.

The Leo Trio

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2503/image/_1236LeoTrio1024.JPG

This popular group leaps into the early evening sky around the March equinox and the northern hemisphere spring. Famous as the Leo Triplet, the three magnificent galaxies found in the prominent constellation Leo gather here in one astronomical field of view. Crowd pleasers when imaged with even modest telescopes, they can be introduced individually as NGC 3628 (bottom left), M66 (middle right), and M65 (top center). All three are large spiral galaxies but tend to look dissimilar, because their galactic disks are tilted at different angles to our line of sight. NGC 3628, also known as the Hamburger Galaxy, is temptingly seen edge-on, with obscuring dust lanes cutting across its puffy galactic plane. The disks of M66 and M65 are both inclined enough to show off their spiral structure. Gravitational interactions between galaxies in the group have left telltale signs, including the tidal tails and warped, inflated disk of NGC 3628 and the drawn out spiral arms of M66. This gorgeous view of the region spans over 1 degree (two full moons) on the sky. Captured with a telescope from Sawda Natheel, Qatar, planet Earth, the frame covers over half a million light-years at the Leo Trio's estimated 30 million light-year distance.

Attribution: Rabeea Alkuwari

@science@lemmy.world @science@beehaw.org @space@beehaw.org @space@lemmy.world @science@lemmy.ml @space@newsmast.community @space@lemmy.ml #space #science #nasa #astronomy

The Solar Eclipse Analemma Project

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2503/HunterWells/_submission3-3labelled1024.jpg

Recorded from 2024 March 10, to 2025 March 1, this composited series of images reveals a pattern in the seasonal drift of the Sun's daily motion through planet Earth's sky. Known to some as an analemma, the figure-eight curve was captured in exposures taken on the indicated dates only at 18:38 UTC from the exact same location south of Stephenville, Texas. The Sun's position on the 2024 solstice dates of June 20 and December 21 would be at the top and bottom of the curve and correspond to the astronomical beginning of summer and winter in the north. Points that lie along the curve half-way between the solstices would mark the equinoxes. The 2024 equinox on September 22, and in 2025 the equinox on March 20 (today) are the start of northern fall and spring. And since one of the exposures was made on 2024 April 8 from the Stephenville location at 18:38:40 UTC, this analemma project also reveals the solar corona in planet Earth's sky during a total solar eclipse.

Attribution: Hunter Wells

@science@lemmy.world @science@beehaw.org @space@beehaw.org @space@lemmy.world @science@lemmy.ml @space@newsmast.community @space@lemmy.ml #space #science #nasa #astronomy

Blue Ghost's Diamond Ring

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2503/eclipse-shot-from-blue-ghost-crop1024.jpg

On March 14 the Full Moon slid through Earth's dark umbral shadow and denizens of planet Earth were treated to a total lunar eclipse. Of course, from the Moon's near side that same astronomical syzygy was seen as a solar eclipse. Operating in the Mare Crisium on the lunar surface, the Blue Ghost lander captured this video frame of Earth in silhouette around 3:30am CDT, just as the Sun was emerging from behind the terrestrial disk. From Blue Ghost's lunar perspective the beautiful diamond ring effect, familiar to earthbound solar eclipse watchers, is striking. Since Earth appears about four times the apparent size of the Sun from the lunar surface the inner solar corona, the atmosphere of the Sun most easily seen from Earth during a total solar eclipse, is hidden from view. Still, scattering in Earth's dense atmosphere creates the glowing band of sunlight embracing our fair planet.

Attribution:

@science@lemmy.world @science@beehaw.org @space@beehaw.org @space@lemmy.world @science@lemmy.ml @space@newsmast.community @space@lemmy.ml #space #science #nasa #astronomy

Summary

The blobfish, once named the "world’s ugliest animal," has won New Zealand’s Fish of the Year contest.

Living in deep, high-pressure waters off New Zealand and Australia, the gelatinous fish lacks a full skeleton and muscles, allowing it to float.

Despite its odd appearance, it is a dedicated parent, protecting up to 100,000 eggs. The contest, run by the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, saw a record 5,583 votes, with the blobfish securing 1,286.

Deep-sea trawling threatens its population, but conservation efforts are gaining attention.

Summary

NIH officials instructed scientists to remove mRNA vaccine references from grant applications, raising concerns that the agency is abandoning mRNA research.

A senior NIH official confirmed that acting Director Matthew Memoli ordered all mRNA-related grants to be reported to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the White House. Scientists fear professional retaliation and funding cuts.

The Trump administration is reviewing mRNA research spending, and some GOP-led states are pushing to restrict mRNA vaccines.

Researchers warn these actions could stifle innovation and harm public health.

LDN 1235: The Shark Nebula

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2503/Shark/_Martin/_960.jpg

@science@lemmy.world @science@beehaw.org @space@beehaw.org @space@lemmy.world @science@lemmy.ml @space@newsmast.community @space@lemmy.ml #space #science #nasa #astronomy

Thor's Helmet

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2503/ThorHelmet/_Hopkins/_960.jpg

@science@lemmy.world @science@beehaw.org @space@beehaw.org @space@lemmy.world @science@lemmy.ml @space@newsmast.community @space@lemmy.ml #space #science #nasa #astronomy

NASA Astronauts Return After Nine-Month ISS Mission

https://blog.joshuniverse.com/nasa-astronauts-return-after-nine-month-iss-mission

NASA astronauts return from ISS after 9-month mission, overcoming challenges. Collaboration with SpaceX marked a successful completion.

@science@lemmy.world @space@lemmy.world @science@lemmy.ml @space@newsmast.community @space@lemmy.ml #space #science #nasa #astronomy

Thor's Helmet

Thor not only has his own day (Thursday), but a helmet in the heavens. Popularly called Thor's Helmet, NGC 2359 is a hat-shaped cosmic cloud with wing-like appendages. Heroically sized even for a Norse god, Thor's Helmet is about 30 light-years across.

@science@lemmy.world @science@beehaw.org @space@beehaw.org @space@lemmy.world @science@lemmy.ml @space@newsmast.community @space@lemmy.ml #space #science #nasa #astronomy

NASA Astronauts Return After 286 Days in Space

https://blog.joshuniverse.com/nasa-astronauts-return-after-286-days-in-space

NASA astronauts return to Earth after 9-month ISS mission, showcasing resilience amidst unexpected challenges. Recovery set in Florida.

@science@lemmy.world @space@lemmy.world @science@lemmy.ml @space@newsmast.community @space@lemmy.ml #space #science #nasa #astronomy

Summary

Cuts to federal research funding under Trump are closing off career pathways for young scientists. NIH has suspended training programs, forcing researchers scramble for alternatives.

Universities are cutting graduate admissions and freezing hiring due to uncertainty, with agencies like NSF and USAID also delaying or reducing grants.

Some students are considering moving abroad for research opportunities.

Experts warn this could damage U.S. scientific leadership and diplomacy, as other nations, particularly China, may attract displaced talent and research collaborations.