Study Links Long Thumbs to Bigger Brains in Primates

Study Links Long Thumbs to Bigger Brains in Primates

Tuesday, August 26, 2025 / No Comments

 

Primates with longer thumbs also tend to have larger brains, according to new research that suggests intelligence and manual dexterity may have evolved together.

Scientists at the University of Reading compared thumb proportions and estimated brain mass across 94 primate species, including humans, other hominins and lemurs. Their findings, published in Communications Biology, indicate that longer thumbs are consistently associated with greater brain size, particularly in the neocortex the region linked to planning and cognition.

“We see a pattern across all primates: species with longer thumbs relative to hand size generally have bigger brains,” said lead researcher Dr Joanna Baker. “It supports the idea that thinking ability and hand dexterity developed side by side.”

Humans and their close relatives do possess unusually long thumbs and large brains, but once the link between the two traits is accounted for, they no longer appear to be evolutionary outliers. The only exception identified in the study was Australopithecus sediba, which had a disproportionately long thumb even after brain size was considered, possibly due to its mixed arboreal and terrestrial lifestyle.

While opposable thumbs and tool use have long been seen as hallmarks of human evolution, the research suggests thumb length alone does not predict tool use. “The relationship holds whether or not a primate uses tools,” Baker noted.

Experts say the study adds to evidence that hand and brain features likely co-evolved, but also caution that other factors such as hand structure, biomechanics, and neural mechanisms are needed to fully explain human-like dexterity.

A telescope built to unlock cosmic mysteries :Misconduct Claims Hit €2bn Global Telescope Project

A telescope built to unlock cosmic mysteries :Misconduct Claims Hit €2bn Global Telescope Project

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The Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO), one of the world’s most ambitious scientific projects, is facing allegations of financial mismanagement after a whistleblower claimed millions in public funds were mishandled.

The €2bn initiative, designed to build the largest radio telescope ever attempted across remote sites in Australia and South Africa, has been hailed as a groundbreaking effort to unlock mysteries of the early universe. But internal disclosures suggest the organisation managing contributions from 16 member states is now under investigation.

According to documents seen by reporters, at least £12m (A$25m) may have been lost in risky investments, with further claims of accounting irregularities and concealed currency losses. The SKAO, headquartered in the UK at Jodrell Bank Observatory, has denied wrongdoing but confirmed that an independent external review is underway.

“The organisation is taking all necessary actions,” SKAO chair Filippo Maria Zerbi wrote in an internal email in May, acknowledging the allegations while insisting further checks were needed before conclusions could be drawn.

Australia, a major funder of the project, has already seen its commitments rise well above initial forecasts. Government budget papers show Canberra has spent $475m between 2021 and 2025, exceeding the original 2020 estimate by $164m. Officials cited exchange rate fluctuations, cost overruns, and additional commitments to local communities near the telescope site.

Further complications have arisen from infrastructure delays. Despite public statements describing solar-powered operations, the Australian site is currently running on diesel generators. Tender documents indicate a permanent power supply may not be completed until 2028, with interim diesel costs already exceeding $1m a year.

The whistleblower also pointed to a European Commission grant of €5m, part of which was later clawed back after auditors judged several costs ineligible. Ultimately, €2.5m was recognised, with the remainder returned.

While project leaders maintain that the scope of building two of the world’s most advanced telescopes inevitably involves budget adjustments, internal updates suggest a “programme and schedule risk review” is ongoing, with possible reductions in scope to close funding gaps.

A SKAO spokesperson dismissed suggestions of capital losses, stressing that all financial activities are subject to regular audits. “Money market funds are inherently low-risk,” the spokesperson said, adding that reductions in balances reflected withdrawals to meet operating costs.

Despite the turbulence, the project remains on track to expand operations over the next decade. When fully operational, the Square Kilometre Array will deploy more than 130,000 antennae in Western Australia and thousands of dishes in South Africa, offering unprecedented insight into the early cosmos and potentially answering one of humanity’s oldest questions: are we alone in the universe?

Researchers Identify Hundreds of Genes Linked to OCD in Largest Study to Date

Researchers Identify Hundreds of Genes Linked to OCD in Largest Study to Date

Monday, August 25, 2025 / No Comments

 

A groundbreaking international study has uncovered hundreds of genetic markers tied to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), offering fresh insight into one of the world’s most disabling mental health conditions.

Analyzing the DNA of more than 53,000 people with OCD and over 2 million without the disorder, researchers identified 30 regions of the genome containing 249 genes associated with the illness. Of those, 25 emerged as strong contributors to OCD risk.

“No single gene causes OCD, but taken together, these findings help us understand why the condition develops and why it looks different from person to person,” said Dr. Carol Mathews, a psychiatrist at the University of Florida and lead author of the study.

The study found that many of the implicated genes are highly active in brain regions responsible for decision-making, fear, motivation, and habit formation all areas that malfunction in OCD. Researchers also found overlap between OCD-related genes and those linked to depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and Tourette syndrome.

Globally, OCD affects about one in 50 people and is among the top 10 causes of disability. The condition often emerges in childhood or adolescence and can severely disrupt daily life. People with OCD face a significantly higher risk of premature death from both natural and nonnatural causes, including suicide.

While genetic research won’t lead to immediate cures, scientists believe the findings could pave the way for more targeted therapies. “Understanding the biology behind OCD is the first step toward better, more personalized treatments,” Mathews said.

The results also pointed to unexpected connections between OCD and the immune system, suggesting links to asthma, migraines, and even a reduced risk of inflammatory bowel disease.

Experts say larger studies and further research are needed, but the genetic map offers a crucial piece in the puzzle of how OCD develops and how it might one day be treated more effectively.

New Dinosaur Species with Striking “Sail” Unearthed on Isle of Wight

New Dinosaur Species with Striking “Sail” Unearthed on Isle of Wight

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Scientists have identified a previously unknown species of dinosaur, notable for the dramatic sail-like structure running along its back, discovered on the Isle of Wight.

The species, named Istiorachis macarthurae, lived around 125 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous period. Its name combines “sail spine” with a tribute to Ellen MacArthur, the British sailor who set the world record for the fastest solo non-stop circumnavigation in 2005.

The discovery was made by Dr. Jeremy Lockwood, a retired GP turned PhD researcher at the University of Portsmouth and the Natural History Museum. Lockwood re-examined fossil material long held in collections, recognizing unique features that set the species apart from other iguanodontian dinosaurs found on the island.“No one had really taken a close look at these bones before,” Lockwood explained. “Unlike other specimens, this dinosaur had exceptionally long neural spines  suggesting a striking sail along its back. We believe it likely served as a display structure, used to attract mates or intimidate rivals.”

Scientists note that while such sails may also have played a role in thermoregulation or fat storage, the evidence here points more strongly toward visual signaling.

Prof. Susannah Maidment of the Natural History Museum praised the discovery, saying it highlights the importance of re-analyzing museum collections:“Jeremy’s work breathes new life into fossils that have been sitting in storage for years. It shows how much more we still have to learn about Britain’s dinosaurs.”

The Isle of Wight has long been a hotspot for dinosaur finds, with several important iguanodontian species already identified there. The addition of Istiorachis macarthurae further cements the island’s reputation as one of Europe’s richest fossil-hunting grounds.

China Races to Build World's Largest Solar Farm to Meet Emissions Targets

China Races to Build World's Largest Solar Farm to Meet Emissions Targets

Thursday, August 21, 2025 / No Comments

 

Chinese officials last month unveiled what they claim will become the world’s largest solar farm, sprawling across 610 square kilometers (235 square miles) on a Tibetan plateau roughly the size of Chicago.

The massive project highlights China’s rapid expansion of solar capacity, which has contributed to a 1% decline in the country’s carbon emissions in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period last year, according to a study released Thursday. The decline continues a trend that began in March 2024, suggesting China may have peaked its emissions years ahead of its 2030 target.

“This is a structural decline in emissions, not just a temporary dip,” said Lauri Myllyvirta, lead analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. He noted that to meet China’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2060, emissions will still need to fall an average of 3% annually over the next 35 years.

China installed 212 gigawatts of solar capacity in just the first six months of 2025 surpassing the entire U.S. solar capacity of 178 gigawatts as of 2024. Solar power has now overtaken hydropower and is set to surpass wind as the largest source of clean energy in the country.

Li Shuo, director of the China Climate Hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute, called the trend a “moment of global significance,” adding that it proves a country can reduce emissions while still growing economically. Yet he warned that China’s dependence on coal remains a critical hurdle.

The Tibetan plateau project blends energy production with ecological benefits. Solar panels act as windbreaks to limit dust and soil evaporation, while thousands of “photovoltaic sheep” graze beneath them. Wang Anwei, energy chief of Hainan Prefecture, described it as a “win-win” scenario: energy generation on top, vegetation and grazing below.

Once completed, the farm will host over 7 million panels, producing enough electricity for five million households. Transmission lines are being built to deliver power to eastern China’s population and industrial centers, but challenges remain due to the existing grid’s dependence on coal-fired plants.

Zhang Jinming, vice governor of Qinghai province, acknowledged the logistical hurdles, noting the mismatch between green energy production in the west and industrial demand in the east.

“This requires major changes in both coal plant operations and the transmission network,” said Myllyvirta. “It’s no small task.”

Women with Alzheimer’s Show Markedly Lower Omega Fatty Acid Levels, Study Finds

Women with Alzheimer’s Show Markedly Lower Omega Fatty Acid Levels, Study Finds

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New research suggests that women with Alzheimer’s disease have significantly lower levels of omega fatty acids in their blood compared with healthy women, a pattern not observed in men.

The study, conducted by King’s College London and published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, analyzed blood samples from more than 800 participants, including 306 Alzheimer’s patients. Researchers found that women with the disease had up to 20% lower levels of unsaturated fats, including omega-3 fatty acids, and higher levels of saturated fats.

“This difference between men and women was the most surprising outcome,” said Dr Cristina Legido-Quigley, senior author of the study. “It hints at a potential causal link, but clinical trials are needed to confirm whether supplementing these fatty acids could help prevent or delay the disease in women.”

Alzheimer’s affects women at twice the rate of men, a disparity attributed to factors such as lifespan, hormones, immune response, and social conditions. The study’s findings may shed light on why the disease manifests differently in women.

Omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish, chia seeds, flaxseed, and walnuts are known to support brain and heart health. While previous trials of omega-3 supplements in older adults have shown limited benefit for cognitive decline, researchers now hope targeted trials for women could offer new insights.

Dr Julia Dudley of Alzheimer’s Research UK, a co-funder of the study, emphasized the importance of understanding sex-specific disease mechanisms. “This research could inform tailored treatments and lifestyle advice, potentially improving prevention strategies for women,” she said.

In the meantime, experts recommend that women ensure adequate intake of omega fatty acids as part of a balanced diet.

Rare “Black Moon” to Darken the Skies on August 23

Rare “Black Moon” to Darken the Skies on August 23

Wednesday, August 20, 2025 / No Comments

 

Stargazers won’t see much in the night sky this weekend, but that’s exactly what makes it special. On August 23, the moon will reach its new phase at 2:06 a.m. EDT (06:06 GMT), creating a rare astronomical event known as a Black Moon.

At that moment, the moon will be almost directly aligned with the sun, positioned in the constellation Leo. The result? A moonless night sky.

While the term “Black Moon” isn’t official in astronomy, it’s popularly used to describe unusual occurrences of the new moon. This week’s event falls under the “seasonal” category  the third new moon within a season that unusually contains four.

Typically, each season has three new moons. But since the lunar cycle doesn’t perfectly sync with the calendar, every few years an extra one slips in. The third of these is tagged as a Black Moon. The last one of this type was on May 19, 2023.

For Northern Hemisphere observers, summer 2025 brought new moons on June 25, July 23, August 3, and September 21. With four squeezed into the season, August 23 earns the Black Moon title. These events occur only once every 33 months.

There’s another definition too  when two new moons fall in the same calendar month. That version won’t happen again until August 31, 2027.

Unlike a lunar eclipse or supermoon, a Black Moon can’t be seen directly. The moon’s illuminated half faces away from Earth, leaving the sky darker than usual. But don’t be discouraged: on August 24 and 25, just after sunset, a razor-thin crescent will emerge low on the western horizon a delicate sight for skywatchers.

The darker skies also offer a bonus: an ideal chance to glimpse faint deep-sky objects and even the crowded heart of the Milky Way, usually hidden by moonlight.