UC Santa Barbara researchers have developed the first map of a human brain during pregnancy, showing significant changes in gray and white matter. This study reveals the brain's remarkable adaptability and may help understand postpartum depression. The findings challenge traditional views on women's fragility during pregnancy, offering new insights into neuroplasticity.
The article features captivating space images of Earth's natural beauty and disasters. Highlights include photos of the Northern Lights over Norway, Sahara desert's patterns, Great Barrier Reef's vibrant corals, and Himalayas' peaks. Disasters like Hawaii wildfires, Hurricane Idalia's impact, Turkey earthquake damage, and Libya flooding are also documented.
The international day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is observed on September 16, with India participating since 1995. The theme for World Ozone Day 2024 is “Montreal Protocol: Advancing Climate Actions.” This highlights the protocol's role in protecting the ozone layer and advancing climate action by phasing out harmful substances like CFCs and HCFCs.
A team at Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine has found that the enzyme protein kinase N (PKN) plays a role in cardiac fibrosis linked to heart failure. In mice models, deleting PKN reduced ventricular dysfunction and tissue buildup. These findings suggest that anti-PKN therapies could potentially protect against heart failure. The research was published in Nature Communications.
Researcher Sasha Luccioni highlights the significant energy consumption of generative AI compared to traditional search engines. Technologies like ChatGPT require vast computing power, contributing to higher greenhouse gas emissions. She advocates for transparency and energy efficiency in AI development, urging governments and companies to make informed decisions to mitigate the technology's environmental impact.
From September 29 to November 25, Earth will temporarily capture a new mini-moon named asteroid 2024 PT5. This small asteroid, about 10 meters wide and discovered by the Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System, will orbit Earth once before continuing its journey through space. These events underscore Earth's ongoing interactions with Near-Earth Objects.
Iran launched the Chamran-1 research satellite into orbit using a rocket developed by the Revolutionary Guard. The satellite aims to test space hardware and software. This is Iran's second launch this year, raising Western concerns about potential ballistic missile development, which Iran denies. The launch coincides with heightened regional tensions.