While the phenomenon of angel hair definitely leaves quite a bit of room for speculation, its correlation to UFO sightings cannot be easily dismissed. In light of all that is still not known about this unique substance, it would be beneficial for more members of the UFO and scientific community to devote more time and resources towards conducting serious research of this mysterious phenomenon.

{ https://anomalien.com/ }

07-03-2025 om 00:27 geschreven door peter  

De Bermuda Driehoek: Mysterie, Mythes en Realiteit

Abstract

De Bermuda Driehoek, een gebied in de Atlantische Oceaan dat wordt begrensd door Miami, Bermuda en San Juan, Puerto Rico, is berucht om de vermeende verdwijningen van vliegtuigen en schepen. Dit onderzoek verkent de oorsprong van het fenomeen, de historische context, het aantal geregistreerde verdwijningen, en de verschillende hypothesen en verklaringen die zijn voorgesteld om dit mysterie te verklaren. Daarnaast wordt het onderscheid tussen fictie en realiteit onderzocht, evenals de rol van scepticisme in de publieke perceptie van de Bermuda Driehoek. Dit werk beoogt een objectieve analyse van de feiten en mythes rond dit intrigerende onderwerp.

Inleiding

De Bermuda Driehoek, ook wel de "Demonen Driehoek" genoemd, is een mythische zone in de Caribische Zee, is al decennia lang het onderwerp van fascinatie en speculatie, is een gebied dat al tientallen jaren de verbeelding van mensen over de hele wereld prikkelt. Het idee van een plek waar schepen en vliegtuigen mysterieuze verdwijningen ondergaan, heeft geleid tot talloze boeken, films en documentaires. Maar wat is de waarheid achter de legende? Omringd door de eilanden Miami, Bermuda en Puerto Rico, wordt dit gebied vaak geassocieerd met mysterieuze verdwijningen van schepen en vliegtuigen.In deze dissertatie zullen we de mythes en feiten rondom de Bermuda Driehoek onderzoeken en beoordelen of er een rationele verklaring is voor de vermeende verdwijningen.

 Terwijl sommige verhalen de fantasie prikkelen en tot de verbeelding spreken, zijn andere verklaringen geworteld in realiteit en wetenschap. De grens tussen mysterie en feit vervaagt hier, waardoor de Bermuda Driehoek een intrigerend fenomeen blijft dat onderzoekers, avonturiers en curiosa blijft aantrekken. Wat is de waarheid achter deze legendarische plek? Ontdek de dunne lijn tussen fictie en realiteit.

Wat is de Bermuda Driehoek?

De Bermuda Driehoek is een onofficieel afgebakend gebied in de Atlantische Oceaan, dat loopt van Miami (Florida) naar Bermuda en San Juan (Puerto Rico). De grenzen van de Driehoek zijn niet exact gedefinieerd, maar de meeste definities omvatten een oppervlakte van ongeveer 1.1 miljoen vierkante kilometer. Het gebied is beroemd geworden door een aantal mysterieuze verdwijningen van schepen en vliegtuigen, die vaak worden toegeschreven aan vreemde omstandigheden en onverklaarbare gebeurtenissen.

06-03-2025 om 23:58 geschreven door peter  

Middle Atmosphere of Mars is Driven by Gravity Waves, New Research Suggests

Atmospheric gravity waves play a crucial role in driving latitudinal air currents on the Red Planet, particularly at high altitudes, according to a new study by University of Tokyo planetary researchers.

This image from the Emirates Mars Mission shows Mars and its thin atmosphere.

Image credit: UAESA / MBRSC / Hope Mars Mission / EXI / AndreaLuck.

“On Earth, large-scale atmospheric waves caused by the planet’s rotation, known as Rossby waves, are the primary influence on the way air circulates in the stratosphere, or the lower part of the middle atmosphere,” said University of Tokyo’s Professor Kaoru Sato, co-author on the study.

“But our study shows that on Mars, gravity waves have a dominant effect at the mid and high latitudes of the middle atmosphere.”

“Rossby waves are large-scale atmospheric waves, or resolved waves, whereas gravity waves are unresolved waves, meaning they are too fine to be directly measured or modeled and must be estimated by more indirect means.”

“Not to be confused with gravitational waves from massive stellar bodies, gravity waves are an atmospheric phenomenon when a packet of air rises and falls due to variations in buoyancy. That oscillating motion is what gives rise to gravity waves.”

Due to the small-scale nature of them and the limitations of observational data, planetary researchers have previously found it challenging to quantify their significance in the Martian atmosphere.

So Professor Sato and her colleagues turned to the Ensemble Mars Atmosphere Reanalysis System (EMARS) dataset, produced by a range of space-based observations over many years, to analyze seasonal variations up there.

“We found something interesting, that gravity waves facilitate the rapid vertical transfer of angular momentum, significantly influencing the meridional, or north-south, in the middle atmosphere circulations on Mars,” said study’s first author Anzu Asumi, a graduate student at the University of Tokyo.

“It’s interesting because it more closely resembles the behavior seen in Earth’s mesosphere rather than in our stratosphere.”

“This suggests existing Martian atmospheric circulation models may need to be refined to better incorporate these wave effects, potentially improving future climate and weather simulations.”

The team now plans to investigate the impact of Martian dust storms on atmospheric circulation.

“So far, our analysis has focused on years without major dust storms,” Professor Sato said.

“However, these storms dramatically alter atmospheric conditions, and we suspect they may intensify the role of gravity waves in circulation.”

“Our research lays the groundwork for forecasting Martian weather, which will be essential for ensuring the success of future Mars missions.”

• The study appears in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets.
• Anzu Asumi et al. Climatology of the Residual Mean Circulation of the Martian Atmosphere and Contributions of Resolved and Unresolved Waves Based on a Reanalysis Dataset. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, published online March 6, 2025; doi: 10.1029/2023JE008137

{ https://www.sci.news/news/space }

06-03-2025 om 22:58 geschreven door peter  

An artist’s re

ndering of Earth's twin -- Earth 2.0 -- and alien life. Depositphotos.

One of the earliest efforts, Project Ozma, aimed a massive radio telescope at nearby stars, hoping to catch an artificial signal. Decades later, in 1977, researchers detected a strange, powerful burst of radio waves from deep space—the famous “Wow! signal.” It was a moment of excitement, but it was never repeated, and its origins remain a mystery.

Now, with new tools and techniques, scientists have refined their search. Instead of waiting for signals, they’re actively analyzing exoplanet atmospheres for biosignatures—chemical markers that hint at life. They’re also examining Martian soil, scanning ice-covered moons like Europa, and even hunting for industrial pollutants on alien worlds that could suggest the presence of advanced civilizations.

The big question: what happens if we find something?

Are We Prepared for the Consequences of Discovery?

The impact of finding extraterrestrial life—whether microbial or intelligent—would be staggering. Governments, scientists, and even philosophers have debated what such a discovery would mean for religion, society, and our place in the universe.

• If we find simple life (bacteria, microorganisms) on Mars or an exoplanet, it would suggest that life is common in the cosmos. That alone would be groundbreaking.
• If we detect an intelligent signal, the implications would be far more profound. Should we respond? Would they even understand us? And what if they’re not friendly?

Stephen Hawking famously warned against broadcasting our presence, fearing that an advanced civilization might not have our best interests at heart. Others argue that any civilization capable of interstellar travel is likely peaceful—otherwise, they would have already wiped themselves out.

The Next 20 Years and Why Scientists Are Optimistic

The search for alien life is no longer a fantasy—it’s a serious scientific endeavor with real, measurable progress. Here’s why experts believe we could get an answer within the next two decades:

• The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is scanning the atmospheres of exoplanets, looking for gases like oxygen, methane, and carbon dioxide that could indicate biological activity.
• NASA’s Perseverance rover is collecting Martian rock samples that will be brought back to Earth, possibly containing fossilized evidence of ancient life.
• SETI’s latest projects use AI and machine learning to analyze vast amounts of data, detecting patterns that humans might miss.
• New space missions to Europa and Enceladus, two icy moons with subsurface oceans, will probe for possible life beneath their frozen crusts.

With all these advancements, scientists believe we’re closer than ever to answering the age-old question: Are we alone?

What If We Find Nothing?

Of course, there’s another possibility—what if, after decades of searching, we come up empty?

Some scientists worry that a lack of evidence could lead to a loss of public interest and funding. But others argue that even a negative result tells us something important: either life is extraordinarily rare, or we’re looking in the wrong places.

If no signals or biosignatures appear, some researchers suggest looking for technosignatures—evidence of advanced alien technology, such as massive energy structures (Dyson spheres) or artificial light on distant planets.

One thing is certain: whether we find life or not, the search itself is shaping our understanding of the universe.

Scientists agree that the next 20 years will be crucial. Whether it’s a fossil on Mars, an unexpected biosignature in an exoplanet’s atmosphere, or a radio signal from deep space, one discovery could change everything.But the real question isn’t if we’ll find alien life. The real question is: what happens next?

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{ https://curiosmos.com/category/space/ }

06-03-2025 om 22:35 geschreven door peter  

Credit: Shutterstock

China first discovered large methane hydrate reserves in the South China Sea in 2015, and three years later, successfully extracted samples. This new deep-sea station will allow scientists to monitor methane seepage, track tectonic activity, and refine extraction techniques in real-time.

However, methane is also a potent greenhouse gas that could accelerate climate change if unintentionally released. Developing a safe extraction method will be essential before this resource can be commercially viable.

Advanced Deep-Sea Monitoring

The research station will integrate into a four-dimensional monitoring system, consisting of:

• Autonomous submersibles for real-time methane tracking
• Seabed observatories to study ecosystem changes
• Surface ships and drilling vessels for data collection
• China’s Mengxiang drilling vessel, capable of reaching the Earth’s mantle

The station will be positioned in the Qiongdongnan Basin, a large cold seep zone in the northwestern South China Sea. These cold seeps—where natural gases escape from the seafloor—are home to over 600 marine species and hold significant deposits of rare minerals.

By establishing a permanent presence in this resource-rich region, China is positioning itself at the forefront of future deep-sea energy exploration.

Geopolitical and Economic Impact

Beyond energy research, China’s deep-sea facility could provide an economic and strategic advantage in the South China Sea. The region is a critical maritime trade route and the site of ongoing territorial disputes involving Vietnam, Taiwan, and the Philippines.

A permanent underwater research base allows China to:

• Increase maritime surveillance and track foreign vessels
• Strengthen territorial claims under the pretext of scientific research
• Secure access to rare-earth metals, cobalt, and nickel—essential for electronics and renewable technologies

Additionally, the facility will enhance seismic monitoring capabilities, improving early warning systems for earthquakes and tsunamis in the region.

If China develops a reliable method for extracting methane hydrates, it could establish itself as a dominant player in global energy markets. However, the risks remain significant. Uncontrolled methane release could lead to severe environmental consequences, and the geopolitical implications of a permanent deep-sea base could heighten regional tensions.

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{ https://curiosmos.com/ }

06-03-2025 om 22:08 geschreven door peter  

Richard Dolan Explores USO Hotspots: Unveiling the Mystery Beneath Our Oceans

The study of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) has intrigued researchers and the public for decades, but a lesser-known counterpart—Unidentified Submerged Objects (USOs)—has remained in the shadows. Richard Dolan, a well-respected historian in the UFO research community, is shedding light on the mysterious phenomenon of USOs. His work uncovers more than 700 cases, highlighting their presence in specific locations across the globe. One of the key questions he explores is: Why do certain areas seem to be hotspots for USO activity?

USOs: The Hidden Mystery Beneath the Waves

USOs are essentially UFOs that either originate from or submerge into bodies of water. Unlike conventional aircraft, these objects demonstrate transmedium capabilities—moving seamlessly from air to water with no apparent resistance. While UFOs have been documented extensively, reports of USOs remain less discussed, despite their frequency and military encounters.

Dolan’s research presents a comprehensive historical analysis, with cases spanning centuries. His meticulous study covers military records, personal testimonies, and historical accounts, painting a detailed picture of unidentified objects beneath the seas. His first volume on USO history spans from early recorded sightings to 1969, with subsequent volumes covering later periods.

Key USO Hotspots and Theories Behind Their Presence

Dolan’s findings point to several global hotspots where USO activity is particularly concentrated. These locations include:

1. Catalina Island, California – This region has been a long-standing hotspot for both UFO and USO sightings. Reports detail strange crafts moving in and out of the ocean, with notable cases such as a 1982 family boating trip that encountered a large, fast-moving yellow object beneath the water.
2. Puerto Rico’s Waters – According to Dolan, Puerto Rico surpasses most locations in terms of USO activity. There have been numerous reports of unidentified crafts emerging from the depths, often near military installations.
3. The Gulf of Mexico – A location that has witnessed encounters involving giant submerged objects, including a 2017 case where a 200-foot-wide craft was seen emerging from the ocean near an offshore supply vessel.
4. Shag Harbor, Canada – The site of a well-documented 1967 USO crash event, where Canadian and U.S. military divers reportedly investigated an unidentified object that submerged and later departed from the area.
5. Baja California, Mexico – Home to historical cases such as an 1892 sighting by a hydrographic survey team that documented a large glowing object moving from the ocean to land.

Possible Explanations for USO Activity in These Areas

Several theories attempt to explain why these specific locations seem to attract USO sightings:

• Military Interest: Some researchers speculate that USOs are monitoring naval operations, particularly around military testing zones and deep-sea submarine routes.
• Environmental Monitoring: Dolan suggests that some encounters may indicate an interest in Earth’s ecosystem, with objects appearing in ecologically rich or endangered areas, such as the Amazon River or heavily polluted waters.
• Underwater Bases: A widely speculated theory is that these objects originate from hidden underwater bases, possibly built by advanced non-human intelligence.
• Transmedium Technology: The ability of these objects to move between air and water without resistance suggests propulsion technology far beyond human capabilities, possibly involving gravity manipulation or energy field propulsion.

Historical Cases and Government Involvement

Dolan’s research highlights cases dating back centuries, demonstrating that USOs are not a modern phenomenon. Notable historical accounts include:

• 1492 – Christopher Columbus’ Sighting: Columbus recorded an unusual light rising and falling above the ocean just before reaching the New World.
• 1825 – British Navy Report Near Hawaii: A bright orange sphere reportedly emerged from and re-entered the ocean, baffling experienced naval officers.
• 1951 – Graham Bethune’s Navy Encounter: A U.S. Navy pilot witnessed a bright craft rising from the water while flying near Greenland, with official documentation supporting the event.
• Operation Mainbrace (1952): A NATO naval exercise that led to multiple UFO and USO sightings, with photographic evidence reported.

Government agencies, particularly military organizations, have been keenly aware of these incidents. Declassified documents reveal that pilots, naval officers, and scientists have reported encounters with underwater anomalies. Despite the compelling evidence, official responses remain vague, often attributing sightings to natural or experimental military phenomena.

The Future of USO Research

Dolan’s research emphasizes the importance of historical analysis to understand the evolving nature of the USO phenomenon. His extensive documentation highlights the transition from daytime sightings in the early 20th century to predominantly nighttime encounters in later decades. This shift suggests an adaptation on the part of the observed objects, possibly in response to increased human technological capabilities such as sonar and satellite surveillance.

As interest in USOs grows, researchers are calling for greater transparency from military and governmental institutions. Advances in underwater exploration and sensor technology could provide further insight into these mysterious objects. Whether USOs represent extraterrestrial activity, undiscovered marine phenomena, or hidden government projects, one thing remains clear—our oceans continue to harbor some of the greatest unsolved mysteries of our time.

• https://youtu.be/ua-PwdO1c4Y

Richard Dolan’s deep dive into the USO phenomenon presents a compelling case for further investigation. His work suggests that certain locations around the world, such as Catalina Island and Puerto Rico, are of particular interest due to the frequent and well-documented appearances of these mysterious objects. Whether they are monitoring human activity, safeguarding environmental concerns, or merely existing undetected, USOs remain one of the most fascinating subjects in the realm of unexplained aerial and underwater phenomena. Dolan’s research serves as an important foundation for future inquiry, urging scientists and investigators to look beneath the waves for answers.

{ https://www.latest-ufo-sightings.net/ }

06-03-2025 om 21:03 geschreven door peter  

Earth: Facts about the Blue Planet

Everything you need to know about Earth

Earth pictures

Planet Earth

A satellite image of Earth from space.

Continents

Earth has seven continents: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and Antarctica.

Our galaxy

Earth is situated in the Milky Way galaxy.

Solar system

Earth is the third planet from the sun in our solar system.

Discover more about Earth

• 50 interesting facts about Earth

• Earth from space — Incredible images of our planet from above

Further reading

Learn how to measure Earth's shape and size in this blog post from physicist Matt Strassler. Explore NASA's latest information about Earth. And marvel at the beauty of our planet in this photo gallery from NASA.

{ https://www.livescience.com/ }

05-03-2025 om 23:25 geschreven door peter  

Ozone Hole.

Credit: NOAA.

The Role of the Montreal Protocol

The ozone layer sits between 15 and 30 kilometers (9.3 to 18.6 miles) above the Earth’s surface and acts as a shield, absorbing the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. In the late 20th century, scientists discovered that synthetic chemicals—primarily chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)—were depleting ozone molecules, creating a massive hole over Antarctica.

These chemicals, once widely used in aerosol sprays, refrigeration, and industrial solvents, released chlorine atoms when exposed to sunlight in the stratosphere. This process accelerated ozone destruction, particularly over Antarctica, where extreme cold and polar stratospheric clouds intensified the effect.

In response, 197 countries and the European Union signed the Montreal Protocol in 1987, banning CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances. This agreement is widely regarded as one of the most successful environmental policies in history.

Why the Antarctic Ozone Hole Was the Most Affected

Antarctica’s unique atmospheric conditions made it particularly vulnerable. During winter, the polar vortex traps ozone-depleting chemicals, and when spring arrives, sunlight triggers reactions that rapidly break down ozone molecules. This is why the ozone hole peaks in size each September as temperatures begin to rise.

Over the last decade, scientists noticed signs of improvement, but natural atmospheric fluctuations made it difficult to determine whether the recovery was a direct result of policy measures or just temporary variability. This new study removes all doubt—ozone levels are rising, and the healing process is progressing as expected.

The Ozone Layer Could Fully Recover by 2035

With 15 years of observational data now available, researchers are confident that the Antarctic ozone hole could disappear completely by 2035 if current trends continue.

“By then, we might witness a year where there’s no depletion at all in the Antarctic. Some of us will live to see the ozone hole gone entirely, and that’s something humanity accomplished together,” Solomon noted.

This milestone not only marks a victory for environmental science but also serves as a powerful reminder that global cooperation can reverse even the most daunting ecological threats.

{ https://curiosmos.com/ }

05-03-2025 om 22:03 geschreven door peter  

In the depths of the ocean, where countless strange fish and creatures dwell in perpetual darkness, they remain unseen, unless unexpectedly caught. This was the case during an expedition by a Russian deep-sea fisherman, who was stunned when he reeled in a bizarre creature that strikingly resembled an alien’s head. 

The eerie catch was made by Roman Fedortsov during an expedition in the northern Pacific Ocean. 

The fisherman shared the video of the strange creature with his followers, with viewers comparing the bulbous fish to an extraterrestrial or even Krang, the villain from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. 

Fisherman Fedortsov has previously made headlines thanks to other weird and wonderful catches which you can view at Dailymail. 

Despite its eerie appearance, the fish was not an alien or a mutant but rather a species known as the smooth lumpsucker, a deep-sea fish recognized for its distinctive, gelatinous look.

  

{ https://ufosightingshotspot.blogspot.com/ }

05-03-2025 om 21:05 geschreven door peter  

Butch Wilmore en Suni Williams moesten onverwacht langer in de ruimte blijven door technische problemen. Hun capsule kreeg motorproblemen en was niet meer veilig om mee terug te keren. Nu, 272 dagen later, zijn er twee plaatsen vrijgekomen op de terugvlucht van astronaut Nick Hague, die voor een andere missie in het Internationaal Ruimtestation zat. Daardoor kan het duo terugkeren naar huis.

{ https://www.hln.be/weer-en-wetenschap/ }

05-03-2025 om 19:56 geschreven door peter  

Dr. Steven Greer Exposes UFO Misinformation: Calls Luis Elizondo a “Master of Disinformation”

The field of ufology has long been rife with controversy, debates, and conflicting narratives. A recent clash between two prominent figures—Dr. Steven Greer and Luis Elizondo—has drawn significant attention. Dr. Greer, a well-known advocate for UFO disclosure, has accused Elizondo, a former Pentagon official and UFO investigator, of being a “master of disinformation.” According to Greer, Elizondo’s public statements align with a covert agenda designed to manipulate public perception of extraterrestrial activity.

The Core of Dr. Greer’s Allegations

Dr. Steven Greer asserts that the UFO narrative being presented by figures like Elizondo is carefully crafted to promote the idea of an alien threat. He claims that certain government-affiliated individuals aim to mislead the public into believing that extraterrestrials pose a danger, a notion that he strongly opposes. Greer emphasizes that this alleged disinformation campaign is not merely a misunderstanding but an intentional effort to control public perception and justify future actions under the guise of national security.

Greer highlights historical instances such as cattle mutilations and alien abductions, arguing that these events were not the work of extraterrestrials but rather covert human operations. He suggests that misinformation has been systematically fed to the public for decades to construct a fear-based narrative about extraterrestrial beings.

The Broader Implications of Misinformation

One of Greer’s primary concerns is how misinformation influences lawmakers, researchers, and the general public. He warns that many individuals, including government officials, approach the UFO topic with a genuine desire to uncover the truth but are misled by deceptive narratives.

Greer references insights from intelligence sources, stating that high-level operatives within agencies such as the CIA have been aware of the disinformation strategy for years. He claims that powerful groups have long been orchestrating a false alien threat to manipulate global populations, potentially leading to heightened military spending and increased control over civil liberties.

A Clash of Perspectives in the UFO Community

Luis Elizondo is widely recognized for his role in the Pentagon’s Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), which investigated unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP). His involvement in bringing classified UFO information to public attention has made him a central figure in modern UFO discussions. However, Greer challenges Elizondo’s credibility, arguing that his disclosures serve a hidden agenda rather than genuine transparency.

While Greer acknowledges that he does not personally know Elizondo or hold any personal animosity toward him, he insists that Elizondo’s statements align with the goals of what he calls the “cabal” that seeks to maintain secrecy and mislead the public.

The Struggle for Truth in Ufology

Greer’s stance reflects the broader challenges within the UFO research community—determining what is real, what is fabricated, and who can be trusted. He warns that the truth is often stranger than fiction and that those who expose classified information risk being discredited or dismissed.

Ultimately, Greer maintains that the real danger is not extraterrestrial beings but the manipulation of the UFO narrative for political, economic, and strategic purposes. He urges individuals to approach the topic with skepticism, seek out credible sources, and question the motivations behind widely promoted UFO disclosures.

The debate between Dr. Steven Greer and Luis Elizondo is emblematic of the larger struggle over UFO disclosure. Greer’s accusations highlight concerns about misinformation and government secrecy, while Elizondo continues to be a key figure in public UFO discussions. As the conversation around unidentified aerial phenomena continues to evolve, it remains crucial for researchers and the public to critically analyze the information being presented and consider multiple perspectives before drawing conclusions.

{https://www.latest-ufo-sightings.net/ }

05-03-2025 om 19:17 geschreven door peter  

Watch this humanlike robot 'rise from the dead' with creepy speed and stability

Researchers in China and Hong Kong have developed a new artificial intelligence (AI) learning framework that teaches humanoid robots to stand up from an idle position incredibly quickly regardless of position or terrain.

While the research has yet to be submitted for peer review, the team released their findings Feb. 12 on GitHub, including a paper uploaded to the arXiv preprint database, alongside a video demonstrating their framework in action.

The video shows a bipedal humanoid rising to stand after lying on its back, sitting against a wall, lying on a sofa and reclining in a chair. The researchers also tested the humanoid robot's ability to right itself on varying terrains and inclines — including a stone road, a glass slope and while leaning against a tree.

They even attempted to disrupt the robot by hitting or kicking it while it was trying to get up. In every scenario, the robot can be seen adjusting to its environment and is shown successfully standing up.

Related: 

• 17 weird, wonderful and terrifying robots we saw at CES 2025 — from a humanlike android companion to a robotic mixologist

This remarkable ability to get knocked down and then get up again is thanks to the system called "Humanoid Standing-up Control" (HoST). The scientists achieved this with reinforcement learning, a type of machine learning where the agent (in this case the HoST framework) attempts to perform a task by trial and error. In essence, the robot takes an action, and if that action results in a positive outcome, it is sent a reward signal that encourages it to take that action again the next time it finds itself in a similar state.

Rising to the occasion

The team's system was a little more complicated than that, using four separate reward groups for more targeted feedback, along with a series of motion constraints including motion smoothing and speed limits to prevent erratic or violent movements. A vertical pull force was also applied during initial training to help direct the early stages of the learning process.

The HoST framework was originally trained in simulations using the Isaac Gym simulator, a physics simulation environment developed by Nvidia. Once the framework had been sufficiently trained on simulations, it was deployed into a Unitree G1 Humanoid Robot for experimental testing, the results of which are demonstrated in the video.

"Experimental results with the Unitree G1 humanoid robot demonstrate smooth, stable, and robust standing-up motions in a variety of real-world scenarios," the scientists wrote in the study. "Looking forward, this work paves the way for integrating standing-up control into existing humanoid systems, with the potential of expanding their real-world applicability."

Getting up might seem second nature to we humans, but it's something that humanoid robots have struggled to replicate in the past, as you can glean from a montage of robots falling over and being unable to return to an upright position. Teaching a robot to walk or run like a human being is one thing, but to be useful in the real world, they need to be able to handle challenging situations like stumbling, tripping and falling over.

{ https://www.livescience.com/technology }

04-03-2025 om 22:48 geschreven door peter  

'We didn't know they were going to be this cute': Scientists unveil genetically engineered 'woolly mice'

Colossal scientists plan to eventually "resurrect" woolly mammoths (Mammuthus primigenius) by first editing cells from the mammoths' closest living relatives, Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), to create elephant-mammoth hybrid embryos with shaggy hair and other woolly mammoth traits. But before the researchers can start working with elephants, they must test the relevant gene edits and engineering tools in mice, which are easier to keep and quicker to breed.

Related: 

• Woolly mammoth de-extinction inches closer after elephant stem cell breakthrough

"A mouse model is super useful in this case, because unlike elephants [whose gestation lasts about 22 months], mice have a 20-day gestation," Beth Shapiro, an evolutionary biologist and chief science officer at Colossal, told Live Science.

The short gestation period enabled researchers to design, clone and grow the woolly mice in just six months, Lamm and Shapiro said. Colossal scientists described the results in a study that was uploaded to the preprint database BioRxiv March 4. The study has not been peer reviewed.

Fluffy rodents

To create the woolly mice, the researchers modified seven of the rodents' genes, six of which were related to fur texture, length and color. The scientists selected these genes by screening for DNA sequences that control hair growth in mice and have evolutionary links to sequences that gave woolly mammoths shaggy hair.

"We haven't taken mammoth genes and put them into a mouse," Shapiro said. "We've looked for the mouse variants of the genes that we think are useful in mammoths and then created mice that have many of these edits simultaneously."

Most of the edits "switched off" genes that are usually active in mice. For example, the scientists blocked a gene called FGF-5 that regulates hair length, resulting in mice with fur that is three times longer than standard laboratory mice.

The team also gave the mice mutations that existed in woolly mammoths, resulting in wavier fur than normal mice. Woolly mammoths had a truncated version of a gene called TGF alpha, as well as a mutation in the keratin gene KRT27, which the scientists incorporated into woolly mouse DNA.

The researchers used three genetic engineering techniques to add the edits into a single organism, including a technology called multiplex precision genome editing, which enables researchers to edit several DNA sites at once with high precision.

"It's definitely a proof of concept that you can incorporate multiple mutations into a single mouse and make its hair look like mammoth hair," Vincent Lynch, an evolutionary biologist and associate professor at the University at Buffalo who is not involved in the Colossal research, told Live Science.

Colossal scientists also focused on a gene that regulates fat metabolism and fatty acid absorption in mice. Woolly mammoths thrived in frigid temperatures in part thanks to fat deposits beneath their skin, so the team attempted to confer the same deposits onto mice by editing the associated DNA sequence.

But the effects of this insertion are unclear, Lynch said. "I guess they expected the mouse to have more or less body fat," he said, adding that the physical outcomes are likely too small to observe.

It's still unclear whether the genetically modified mice can tolerate colder conditions than standard mice, but Colossal scientists say they will test this in the coming months. "We know that the edits are in there, so now we just need to test what level of cold tolerance it confers," Lamm said.

While woolly mice are a step closer to the goal of bringing woolly mammoths back, there are still significant hurdles to overcome. For example, the technology involved in engineering the woolly mice is very advanced, but it's a far cry from what will be needed to get similar results in elephants, Lynch said. Mice have naturally dense hair, but that is not the case in elephants, meaning the technical challenge will be much greater, he said.

"Elephants have fur, but the density of the hair is much less than other mammals, so even if they could make those mutations in an Asian elephant [...] it's just going to be really sparse," Lynch said. "So what you need to do, actually, is a bunch of additional genome editing to somehow find a way to increase the density of the hair."

{ https://www.livescience.com/animals }

04-03-2025 om 22:31 geschreven door peter  

A UFO expert has given the low-down on the possibility of aliens contacting planet Earth.

While UFO simply means 'unidentified flying object' and can apply to just about anything in the sky, aliens are a completely different ball game.

This different ball game seems to be right up the alley of UFO expert and author Malcolm Robinson, as he has been studying them for over 45 years.

Speaking to the Daily Star, he shared some stark warnings about aliens and their place in the universe.

Keep your eyes on the skies...

Getty Stock Image)

Most notably, Robinson had a rather dark and ominous prediction for if we ever make direct contact with aliens - they ‘don’t come in peace’.

Speaking to the UK publication, the specialist said: "Whilst a large proportion of UFOs can be explained away as having natural explanations, only a few remain, and it is to that small one percent that I and my colleagues worldwide are trying to get to the bottom.

"What is in no doubt, is that the UFO enigma is real, very real, it has been with us throughout time.

Unfortunately, Robinson also shared a dire warning about what aliens could want from us.

He added: "They have an agenda for sure, we can but speculate.

"I wouldn't say they are peaceful, due to the thousands of UFO abductions worldwide."

But what do these extra-terrestrials even look like? Well, Robinson has an answer for that as well.

Conveniently enough, it seems pop culture has been pretty accurate in its depictions.

He continued: "Witnesses state that they are seeing what we call 'Greys'.

"[These are] small childlike creatures, about three to four feet in height with bluey-grey translucent skin, large pear-shaped heads with inky black wrap-around eyes. No sign of any genitalia.

"These small greys are the most commonly reported entities seen in close proximity to UFOs."

Robinson also explained that while many people have their doubts about aliens existing, once upon a time he felt the same way.

He said that he became immersed in the world of UFOs at the age of 20 when he hoped to prove all sightings were nonsense but ultimately failed.

"I started out to disprove these subjects as I honestly felt that there was no validity to UFOs," Robinson added. "How wrong was I!"

So there you have it, aliens might be coming, and they probably won’t be friendly, more to follow...

{ https://www.unilad.com/ }

04-03-2025 om 00:00 geschreven door peter  

De Geheime Oorlog van Groot-Brittannië: De vermeende topgeheime Britse missies in het naoorlogse Antarctica.

Inleiding

Antarctica, het meest afgelegen en onherbergzame continent op aarde, heeft altijd een aura van mysterie en speculatie om zich heen gehad. Sinds het midden van de 20e eeuw zijn er tal van verhalen en geruchten ontstaan over geheime militaire operaties en ontdekkingen die door verschillende landen, inclusief het Verenigd Koninkrijk, zouden zijn uitgevoerd in deze koude uithoek van de wereld. Dit artikel onderzoekt de vermeende topgeheime Britse missies in de naoorlogse periode, met een focus op de vraag of deze verhalen feitelijk onderbouwd zijn of slechts fictie.

1. Historische context

1.1 De Koude Oorlog en Antarctica

Na de Tweede Wereldoorlog ontstond de Koude Oorlog, een periode van politieke spanningen tussen de Verenigde Staten en de Sovjetunie. Deze geopolitieke rivaliteit leidde tot een verhoogde interesse in strategische gebieden over de hele wereld, waaronder Antarctica. De ontdekking van mineralen en andere natuurlijke hulpbronnen in deze regio droeg bij aan de strategische waarde ervan.

1.2 De Britse aanwezigheid in Antarctica

De Britse aanwezigheid in Antarctica gaat terug tot de 19e eeuw, met belangrijke expedities zoals die van James Clark Ross en Ernest Shackleton. Na de oorlog vestigde het Verenigd Koninkrijk zijn claim op een aanzienlijk deel van Antarctica, wat leidde tot het oprichten van verschillende onderzoeksstations, zoals het Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey (FIDS).

2. De geruchten over geheime militaire operaties

2.1 De oorsprong van de geruchten

De geruchten over geheime Britse operaties in Antarctica zijn ontstaan in de jaren '50 en '60, toen de Koude Oorlog in volle gang was. In deze periode werden er verschillende theorieën gepromoot die suggereerden dat de Britse overheid betrokken was bij clandestiene activiteiten in Antarctica, variërend van militaire oefeningen tot het zoeken naar buitenaardse technologie.

2.2 Populaire theorieën

Enkele van de meest voorkomende theorieën omvatten:

• Verkenning van buitenaardse technologie: Sommige verhalen beweren dat Britse wetenschappers en militairen in Antarctica op zoek waren naar overblijfselen van een verloren beschaving of buitenaardse technologie.
• Geheime militaire basissen: Er wordt gesuggereerd dat er geheime militaire basissen zijn opgericht om strategische voordelen te behalen tijdens de Koude Oorlog.
• Onderzoek naar ongekende natuurverschijnselen: Geruchten over experimenten met weersverandering of andere natuurverschijnselen hebben ook de ronde gedaan.

3. Onderzoek naar de feiten

3.1 Documentatie en archieven

Om de waarheidsgetrouwe basis van deze geruchten te onderzoeken, is het noodzakelijk om archieven en documentatie van de Britse overheid, militaire instellingen en wetenschappelijke organisaties te analyseren. Een aantal belangrijke documenten uit de Koude Oorlog zijn inmiddels vrijgegeven, maar veel informatie blijft geclassificeerd.

3.2 Betrouwbare getuigenissen

De getuigenissen van voormalige militairen, wetenschappers en onderzoekers die actief waren in Antarctica kunnen ook waardevolle inzichten bieden. Veel van deze individuen hebben echter beperkte toegang tot informatie en zijn vaak gebonden aan geheimhoudingsverklaringen, waardoor het moeilijk is om de volledige waarheid te achterhalen.

4. De rol van de media en populaire cultuur

4.1 Sensationalisme in de media

De rol van de media in het verspreiden van verhalen over geheime operaties in Antarctica kan niet worden onderschat. Sensationele verhalen en complottheorieën hebben de publieke belangstelling aangewakkerd, wat heeft geleid tot een cultuur van speculatie en wantrouwen ten opzichte van officiële verklaringen.

4.2 Fictie versus feit

Films, boeken en documentaires hebben bijgedragen aan het mysterie rondom Antarctica. Werken zoals "The Thing" en boeken over buitenaardse beschavingen hebben de verbeelding van het publiek aangegrepen en de geruchten verder aangewakkerd. Het is essentieel om fictie van feit te scheiden bij het analyseren van deze verhalen.

5. Conclusies

De vraag of er daadwerkelijk geheime Britse operaties in Antarctica hebben plaatsgevonden, blijft vooralsnog onbeantwoord. Hoewel er aanwijzingen zijn dat het Verenigd Koninkrijk actief was in de regio na de Tweede Wereldoorlog, zijn er geen concrete bewijzen die de meest sensationele claims ondersteunen. De combinatie van geopolitieke belangen, de aantrekkingskracht van het onbekende en de invloed van populaire cultuur blijft een voedingsbodem voor speculatie.

6. Aanbevelingen voor verder onderzoek

Voor een diepgaander begrip van de situatie in Antarctica en de rol van het Verenigd Koninkrijk is het noodzakelijk om verder onderzoek te doen. Dit omvat:

• Het analyseren van vrijgegeven archieven en documenten.
• Het interviewen van voormalige onderzoekers en militaire leden die betrokken waren bij de operaties in Antarctica.
• Het kritisch evalueren van mediarepresentaties en populaire cultuur.

7. Bronnen

• Archiefdocumenten van het Britse Ministerie van Defensie.
• Wetenschappelijke publicaties over onderzoek in Antarctica.
• Interviewverslagen met voormalige leden van expeditieteams.

Slotopmerkingen

Dit artikel biedt een overzicht van de geruchten en speculaties rondom de vermeende geheime Britse operaties in Antarctica. Hoewel veel van deze verhalen intrigerend zijn, blijft de werkelijke waarheid vaak buiten bereik, verscholen achter de geheimhouding van overheden en de schaduw van de Koude Oorlog. Verdere studie en onderzoek zijn essentieel om de mysteries van Antarctica te ontrafelen en om de grens tussen fictie en werkelijkheid te verkennen.

{ PETER2011 }

03-03-2025 om 22:57 geschreven door peter  

Scientists Find Evidence of Vehicles From Tens of Thousands of Years Ago

"There's nothing this old."

More on ancient humans: 

• Scientists Say Skeletons Show Ancient Humans With Huge Heads

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{ https://futurism.com/ }

03-03-2025 om 22:29 geschreven door peter  

Sunrise on the moon captured by Blue Ghost spacecraft after NASA and Firefly Aerospace announce successful lunar landing

"With annual lunar missions, Firefly is paving the way for a lasting lunar presence that will help unlock access to the rest of the solar system for our nation, our partners, and the world," Kim said.

Related: 

• Katy Perry will launch to space with historic all-female crew on Blue Origin rocket

Blue Ghost launched from the NASA Kennedy Space Center on Jan. 15. The mission previously captured a trove of photos on its way to the moon. The latest snaps come after Blue Ghost made its landing inside Mare Crisium, a lunar basin more than 480 kilometers (300 miles) wide, according to the NASA statement.

Despite reaching the moon a full year after Intuitive Machines' Odysseues lander, Firefly Aerospace claimed it's the first commercial company to "successfully land on the moon" after Blue Ghost softly touched down and still stands upright and stable. Last year, Odysseus ended up face-planting the moon while snapping one of its legs in the process. (This stumbled landing only partially affected the mission's success, Live Science previously reported.) Intuitive Machines aims to return to the moon with its Athena lander on Thursday (Mar. 6), Live Science's sister site Space.com reported.

Blue Ghost's first Image on the surface of the Moon.(Image credit: Firefly Aerospace)

The top deck of Blue Ghost's lunar lander with Earth in the background.

(Image credit: Firefly Aerospace)

Firefly Aerospace and Intuitive Machines are part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program. NASA has said that by working with American companies it is supporting the creation of a "lunar economy" that will help prepare for the next generation of space explorers.

Blue Ghost has 10 NASA instruments in its lander that will operate on the moon's surface for about 14 Earth days (one lunar day). NASA technology will test subsurface drilling equipment, deep sample collection, radiation tolerant computing and more, according to the space agency.

"The science and technology we send to the Moon now helps prepare the way for future NASA exploration and long-term human presence to inspire the world for generations to come," Nicky Fox, an associate administrator at NASA, said in the statement.

{ https://www.livescience.com/ }

03-03-2025 om 22:01 geschreven door peter  

An artist's impression of a Fast Radio Burst.

Image Credit: ESO/M. Kornmesser.

Astronomers have long observed that fast radio bursts tend to come from large, active galaxies brimming with star formation, reinforcing the idea that most originate from magnetars—highly magnetized neutron stars left behind after massive supernova explosions. However, the discovery of FRB 20190208A in an extremely faint, low-mass galaxy turns that expectation on its head. This particular host is one of the smallest ever identified in connection with an FRB, making the finding all the more unexpected and forcing scientists to reconsider what kinds of environments can produce these cosmic signals.

The Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy is just 300,000 light-years away. Imagine trying to see something this faint across billions of light-years.

(ESO/Digitized Sky Survey 2)

Tracking the Signal Through Deep Space

FRB 20190208A was first detected in February 2019. Between 2021 and 2023, astronomers spent 65.6 hours observing its location using radio telescopes. During that time, they caught two additional bursts, allowing them to precisely identify its source.

At first, they found nothing—no visible galaxy in the region. But deeper scans with the Gran Telescopio Canarias changed everything.

The faintness of the galaxy made it difficult to determine its exact distance, but based on how the FRB’s radio waves dispersed as they traveled, scientists estimated that the signal had been traveling for around 7 billion years—making it one of the most distant FRBs ever recorded.

An artist's impression of an extremely magnetic massive star on the cusp of forming a magnetar. 

(ESO/L. Calçada)

What This Means for the Future of FRB Research

The fact that FRB 20190208A came from a small, faint dwarf galaxy raises big questions. Most stars in the Universe exist in larger galaxies, yet more repeating FRBs have been found in dwarf galaxies than in massive ones. This could mean that the unique conditions in these galaxies—such as lower metallicity—play a key role in producing these powerful bursts.

The discovery of FRB 20190208A suggests we may need to rethink how and where these cosmic bursts originate. It also highlights the need for next-generation telescopes capable of capturing even fainter sources across the Universe.

The discovery of FRB 20190208A underscores how difficult it can be to definitively match a fast radio burst to its origin. Pinpointing these bursts demands both razor-sharp precision from radio telescopes and deep-space imaging capabilities from the most advanced optical observatories. Without both, many FRBs may remain frustratingly untraceable.

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{ https://curiosmos.com/ }

03-03-2025 om 21:27 geschreven door peter  

UFO Lands On Roof Then Takes Off Over Brick, New Jersey, March 2, 2025, UAP Drone Sighting News.

{ https://www.ufosightingsdaily.com/ }

03-03-2025 om 20:51 geschreven door peter  

US Presidents security military jets encounter UFOs over US President's Golf Course. Notice they don't call them drones! UFO UAP Sighting News.

{ https://www.ufosightingsdaily.com/ }

03-03-2025 om 20:41 geschreven door peter