Red Sea dried out and reflooded in catastrophic event 6.2 million years ago

Scientists at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology have confirmed that the Red Sea completely dried up about 6.2 million years ago, turning into a barren salt desert. A sudden flood from the Indian Ocean then refilled the basin in less than 100,000 years, carving deep channels and restoring marine life. This event, detailed through seismic imaging and other evidence, highlights the Red Sea's dramatic geological history.

Nobel prize in chemistry awarded for metal-organic frameworks

9. Oktober 2025 Von KI berichtet

The 2025 Nobel prize in chemistry has been awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar Yaghi for pioneering metal-organic frameworks, porous materials capable of storing and releasing gases like carbon dioxide. These structures, which self-assemble from metal ions and organic molecules, have vast potential for applications such as capturing pollutants and harvesting water from air. The committee praised their work for creating materials that can hold enormous volumes of substances in tiny spaces.

Scientists uncover hidden energy mechanism in M87 black hole

Astrophysicists at Goethe University Frankfurt have simulated how the supermassive black hole M87* powers its massive particle jet using a new numerical code. Their findings reveal that magnetic reconnection, alongside the traditional Blandford-Znajek mechanism, extracts rotational energy from the black hole. This discovery explains the immense jets that influence galaxy evolution.

Study shows older fathers transmit more disease mutations through selfish sperm

A new study reveals that older men pass on significantly more disease-causing genetic mutations to their children due to the rapid proliferation of mutant sperm stem cells. Researchers found that the proportion of mutated sperm rises sharply with age, from 1 in 50 for men in their early thirties to nearly 1 in 20 by age 70. This phenomenon, driven by 'selfish' mutations, heightens risks for severe disorders in offspring.

EeroQ traps single electrons on liquid helium for qubits

A startup called EeroQ has published research demonstrating how to trap individual electrons floating on liquid helium, proposing it as a foundation for scalable quantum computing qubits. The technique leverages old physics to create isolated electron spins with potentially excellent coherence. Experts suggest this could enable rapid scaling using standard manufacturing processes.

Trio awarded 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics for quantum tunneling work

8. Oktober 2025 Von KI berichtet

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis for their pioneering research on quantum tunneling in superconducting circuits. Their 1985 experiments demonstrated how quantum effects apply to complex systems, laying the foundation for modern quantum computers. Clarke expressed surprise at the recognition, noting the unexpected impact of their discovery.

Evolution of human intelligence linked to mental illness vulnerability

Researchers have traced genetic variants in the human genome to reveal that advances in cognitive abilities around 500,000 years ago were soon followed by mutations increasing susceptibility to psychiatric disorders. This suggests a trade-off in brain evolution. The study, published in Cerebral Cortex, analyzed 33,000 genetic variants to build an evolutionary timeline of brain-related traits.

Plant-based serum boosts hair growth in weeks

A new topical serum containing plant extracts and growth proteins has shown promising results in increasing hair density and thickness within 56 days. Developed by researchers in Taiwan, the treatment outperformed a placebo in a small clinical trial involving 60 adults. While encouraging, experts call for larger studies to confirm its efficacy.

Nobel prize awarded for developing metal-organic frameworks

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to three researchers for their pioneering work on metal-organic frameworks, or MOFs, structured polymers with precise geometries. Richard Robson, Susumu Kitagawa, and Omar Yaghi share the honor for creating materials that enable gas storage, filtration, and catalysis. Their innovations, starting around 1990, have opened new possibilities in chemistry and environmental applications.

Birds worldwide share evolved warning cry against parasites

An international team of researchers has discovered that birds across four continents produce nearly identical whining vocalizations to warn against brood parasites. This learned response builds on an innate sound, marking the first known example of such a hybrid vocalization in animals. The findings, published October 3 in Nature Ecology and Evolution, highlight how natural selection shapes cooperative communication.

Researchers create 10-atom-thick memory chips for devices

Scientists have developed a working memory chip just 10 atoms thick, integrated with conventional chips to potentially boost storage in smartphones and other electronics. The prototype, made from 2D materials, addresses limits in current chip stacking. While promising, experts note it is far from commercial readiness.

New ichthyosaur species named Sword Dragon with lethal snout

A beautifully preserved skeleton of a new ichthyosaur species, dubbed the Sword Dragon, has been identified from a fossil found on the UK's Jurassic Coast. The marine reptile, about 3 meters long, featured enormous eyes and a sword-like snout for hunting in dim conditions. It lived during the Early Jurassic period, around 193 to 184 million years ago.