Dit is ons nieuw hondje Kira, een kruising van een waterhond en een Podenko. Ze is sinds 7 februari 2024 bij ons en druk bezig ons hart te veroveren. Het is een lief, aanhankelijk hondje, dat zich op een week snel aan ons heeft aangepast. Ze is heel vinnig en nieuwsgierig, een heel ander hondje dan Noleke.
This is our new dog Kira, a cross between a water dog and a Podenko. She has been with us since February 7, 2024 and is busy winning our hearts. She is a sweet, affectionate dog who quickly adapted to us within a week. She is very quick and curious, a very different dog than Noleke.
DEAR VISITOR,
MY BLOG EXISTS ALREADY 12 YEARS AND 11 MONTHS.
ON 06/05/2024 MORE THAN 1.972.210
VISITORS FROM 134 DIFFERENT NATIONS ALREADY FOUND THEIR WAY TO MY BLOG.
THAT IS AN AVERAGE OF 400GUESTS PER DAY.
THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY BLOG AND HOPE YOU ENJOY EACH TIME.
The purpose of this blog is the creation of an open, international, independent and free forum, where every UFO-researcher can publish the results of his/her research. The languagues, used for this blog, are Dutch, English and French.You can find the articles of a collegue by selecting his category. Each author stays resposable for the continue of his articles. As blogmaster I have the right to refuse an addition or an article, when it attacks other collegues or UFO-groupes.
Druk op onderstaande knop om te reageren in mijn forum
Zoeken in blog
Deze blog is opgedragen aan mijn overleden echtgenote Lucienne.
In 2012 verloor ze haar moedige strijd tegen kanker!
In 2011 startte ik deze blog, omdat ik niet mocht stoppen met mijn UFO-onderzoek.
BEDANKT!!!
Een interessant adres?
UFO'S of UAP'S, ASTRONOMIE, RUIMTEVAART, ARCHEOLOGIE, OUDHEIDKUNDE, SF-SNUFJES EN ANDERE ESOTERISCHE WETENSCHAPPEN - DE ALLERLAATSTE NIEUWTJES
UFO's of UAP'S in België en de rest van de wereld In België had je vooral BUFON of het Belgisch UFO-Netwerk, dat zich met UFO's bezighoudt. BEZOEK DUS ZEKER VOOR ALLE OBJECTIEVE INFORMATIE , enkel nog beschikbaar via Facebook en deze blog.
Verder heb je ook het Belgisch-Ufo-meldpunt en Caelestia, die prachtig, doch ZEER kritisch werk leveren, ja soms zelfs héél sceptisch...
Voor Nederland kan je de mooie site www.ufowijzer.nl bezoeken van Paul Harmans. Een mooie site met veel informatie en artikels.
MUFON of het Mutual UFO Network Inc is een Amerikaanse UFO-vereniging met afdelingen in alle USA-staten en diverse landen.
MUFON's mission is the analytical and scientific investigation of the UFO- Phenomenon for the benefit of humanity...
Je kan ook hun site bekijken onder www.mufon.com.
Ze geven een maandelijks tijdschrift uit, namelijk The MUFON UFO-Journal.
Since 02/01/2020 is Pieter ex-president (=voorzitter) of BUFON, but also ex-National Director MUFON / Flanders and the Netherlands. We work together with the French MUFON Reseau MUFON/EUROP.
ER IS EEN NIEUWE GROEPERING DIE ZICH BUFON NOEMT, MAAR DIE HEBBEN NIETS MET ONZE GROEP TE MAKEN. DEZE COLLEGA'S GEBRUIKEN DE NAAM BUFON VOOR HUN SITE... Ik wens hen veel succes met de verdere uitbouw van hun groep. Zij kunnen de naam BUFON wel geregistreerd hebben, maar het rijke verleden van BUFON kunnen ze niet wegnemen...
16-05-2024
New Research Provides Insights into Evolutionary History of Baobabs
New Research Provides Insights into Evolutionary History of Baobabs
Madagascar is the most plausible center of origin for the iconic baobabs, also known as upside-down trees, or the tree of life, according to new research.
The baobab tree in Senegal.
Image credit: Viajesunion2.
The genus Adansonia, better known as the baobabs and ‘mother of the forest’, has captivated botanists, tourists, naturalists and passers-by for centuries.
Probably the earliest record of humans marveling at these amazing trees can be traced back to the Ancient Egyptians, around 2,300 BCE.
With their grotesque appearance, enormous size, reputed longevity and diverse uses, baobabs have become one of the most charismatic species on our planet.
Embedded in folklore and tradition, baobabs have inspired innumerable pieces of art and have been associated with human settlements and cultures over millennia.
Adansoniacomprises eight morphologically distinct species: one widespread across Africa, one located in Northwestern Australia, and the other six endemic to Madagascar.
However, owing to the lack of fossil evidence, there has been a long-running debate about where the baobabs originated.
“Our work has uncovered new insights into the patterns of speciation in baobabs and shows how climate change has influenced baobab distribution and speciation patterns over millions of years,” said Dr. Ilia Leitch, a researcher Royal Botanic Garden Kew.
Dr. Leitch and his colleagues conducted genomic analyses of all eight baobab tree species and combined these datasets with ecological analyses.
The analyses indicate that the stem lineage of Adansonia originated around 41 million years ago and diversified around 20 million years ago.
The researchers found that the historical population dynamics of baobabs are closely related to both interspecific competition and geological changes in Madagascar, especially the change in sea level.
Based on data including phylogenetic relationship, gene flow and genetic diversity of different baobab species, they suggest that the hypothesis of Madagascar as the center of origin for baobabs offers the most reasonable explanation of the current data, as opposed to the hypotheses for mainland Africa and Australia.
The findings also enabled the scientists to re-evaluate the conservation strategies and status of baobabs.
For example, they propose that a higher conservation status should be assigned to the two endangered Malagasy baobab species, Adansonia suarezensis and Adansonia grandidieri.
High levels of inbreeding, low genetic diversity and declining population size all suggest that these endangered species are lacking in resilience to ecological perturbations and will potentially be under severe threat from climate change.
“We were delighted to be involved in this project uncovering patterns of baobab speciation in Madagascar followed by the astonishing long-distance dispersal of two species, one to Africa and another to Australia,” said Professor Andrew Leitch, a researcher at Queen Mary University of London.
“This was accompanied by the evolution of some fascinating pollination syndromes involving hawkmoths, lemurs and bats.”
Bijzondere zeedieren: de verbazingwekkende wonderen van de diepe oceaan Het is bekend dat Australië enkele van de meest spectaculaire wilde dieren ter wereld heeft, vooral als het gaat om diepzeedieren. Er is een reden waarom het een van de populairste bestemmingen is voor duikers! Het Groot Barrièrerif alleen al herbergt meer dan 1.500 vissoorten en in heel Australië leven er meer dan 4.000. Velen van hen vindt je nergens anders ter wereld en sommige zien eruit als buitenaardse wezens.
Klik verder om enkele van de vreemdste, engste en kleurrijkste zeedieren van Australië te zien
Enypniastes eximia In het Engels noemen ze dit interessante wezen ook wel letterlijk de 'Spaanse dansende zeekomkommer' of het 'kippenmonster zonder kop'. Het heeft zwemvliezen waarmee ze van de oceaanbodem naar boven drijven en vervolgens weer terugkeren naar de oceaanbodem om zich te voeden. Sommigen hebben een transparant lichaam waarin de darmen zichtbaar zijn. Ook kunnen ze bioluminescerend zijn.
Austrodromidia octodentata Sponskrabben (ook wel: wolkrabben) zijn anders dan andere krabben: in plaats van zichzelf te beschermen met harde pantsers, camouflage of scharen, hebben ze sponzen op hun lichaam. Misschien dienden ze wel ter inspiratie voor 'SpongeBob SquarePants'?
Psychrolutes marcidus De blobvis is misschien wel de lelijkste vis op aarde. Het is een diepzeevis die doorgaans wordt aangetroffen rond de kust van Australië en Nieuw-Zeeland.
Achaeus japonicus Deze krabben zijn klein van formaat (slechts 2 centimeter) en hebben een unieke roestbruine laag met zachte haartjes over hun hele lichaam, waardoor ze niet veel verschillen van de op takken levende orang-oetans die in de oerwouden van Borneo worden aangetroffen.
Indonesië In het Engels worden deze dieren soms letterlijk 'orang-oetan-krabben' genoemd. Net als bij de aap is de naam van deze krab afgeleid van de Indonesische woorden voor 'bosmens' (oran hutan). Deze dieren zouden we dus als de 'boswezens' van de zee kunnen zien.
Pezichthys amplispinus Over deze vis, die alleen in Australië te vinden is, zei de Franse zeeman Nicolas Baudin in 1802: "De voorste vinnen van deze vis lijken net handen."
Bioluminescentie Er zijn meer dan 60 soorten slangsterren die bioluminescent (lichtgevend) zijn. Sommige soorten geven groen licht af, waar andere blauw licht afgeven.
Parelvissen Er zijn 31 soorten parelvissen. Door hun slanke lichaam kunnen ze in de lichaamsholten van ongewervelde dieren leven. Vreemd genoeg leven sommige soorten uitsluitend in de anussen van zeekomkommers. Lekker!
Koekjessnijder De koekjessnijder behoort tot de familie van de doornhaaien. De haai staat bekend om zijn eetgewoonte waarbij hij visvlees in ronde stukken (in de vorm van koekjes) uitbijt.
Driepootvis Een driepootvis of statiefvis kan 43 cm lang worden. Bovendien heeft hij lange, dunne stralen onder zijn buikvinnen en staartvin die wel 1 meter lang zijn. Met zijn drie poten staat hij als een soort statief op de bodem van de oceaan!
De Sahara wordt beschouwd als de woestijn bij uitstek: het woord zelf betekent woestijn, dus het zeggen van "Saharawoestijn" staat gelijk aan het zeggen van "woestijn van de woestijn". Er is geen drogere plek op onze planeet, maar toch was de Sahara in het verleden een groene plek vol leven. Volgens sommige onderzoekers doorloopt de woestijn bij uitstek een cyclus die hem in de toekomst weer vruchtbaar zal maken. Laten we eens kijken hoe dit mogelijk is.
Vroeger was de Sahara vol leven, en dat zal nog steeds zo zijn: dat zegt een studie
Pexels
De Sahara is de droogste plek op onze planeet: 9 miljoen vierkante kilometer groot en door de eeuwen heen het symbool geworden van de woestijn zelf, en om zeer goede redenen. Volgens een recente studie had de Sahara in het verleden echter ook een ecosysteem vol leven en zou het, belangrijker nog, weer een ecosysteem kunnen worden. Het onderzoek, gepubliceerd in Nature Communications en uitgevoerd door een team van de universiteiten van Helsinki, Birmingham en Bristol, analyseerde het klimaat van de Sahara gedurende de afgelopen 800.000 jaar. Met onverwachte resultaten.
Dankzij een reeks simulaties met een geavanceerd klimaatmodel ontdekten de onderzoekers dat de woestijn bij uitstek transformeert in een groen paradijs tijdens de zogenaamde Afrikaanse vochtige perioden, dat wil zeggen elke 21 duizend jaar. De laatste Afrikaanse vochtige periode vond plaats tussen ongeveer 14.000 en 6.000 jaar geleden: de Sahara herbergt nog steeds bewijzen van rivieren en meren, flora en fauna, in een rijk ecosysteem dat nu (bijna) volledig is verdwenen.
Het belang van simulaties om het verleden van de Sahara te begrijpen
Pexels / Freepik
Dankzij de simulaties van het HadCM3B-model, gebruikt om deze resultaten te verkrijgen, ontdekten de onderzoekers een cyclus van wedergeboorte van de Sahara, maar niet alleen dat. Elke 21 duizend jaar keert de woestijn bij uitstek terug om een ecosysteem te huisvesten dat rijk is aan leven, synchroon met de oscillatie van de aardas. Deze beweging controleert in feite de intensiteit van de Afrikaanse moessons, periodieke winden die op hun beurt de hoeveelheid regen bepalen die op de Sahara valt, en dus ook op de vegetatie.
Het laatste element dat verband houdt met de vochtige perioden in Afrika betreft de ijskappen. In de praktijk is het onmogelijk dat er een natte periode ontstaat als het noordelijk halfrond van de aarde een grote ijskap heeft. Deze koelen in feite de atmosfeer af, waardoor de regenval in gebieden zoals de Sahara afneemt en daardoor woestijnvorming veroorzaakt.
De invloeden van de Sahara tussen verleden en toekomst
NASA
Volgens Edward Armstrong, hoofdauteur van het onderzoek, vertegenwoordigt de cyclus van transformatie van de woestijn in savanne en bos een van de belangrijkste veranderingen in het milieu die op aarde plaatsvinden. Het belang van het gebruikte rekenmodel ligt juist in het vermogen om de Afrikaanse vochtige perioden succesvol te reproduceren en daardoor een duidelijker beeld te geven van hun cycliciteit. De cycli van 21.000 jaar hebben immers niet alleen de geografie beïnvloed, maar behoren ook tot de oorzaken van de verspreiding van onze soort uit Afrika.
Tegelijkertijd zijn dit natuurlijke veranderingen die theoretisch niet gekoppeld zijn aan recentere fenomenen zoals de stijgende temperaturen op aarde. Al is het niet uitgesloten dat het een het ander kan beïnvloeden. Hoe je het ook bekijkt, onze planeet verandert op een dynamische manier en blijft zelden hetzelfde: dit blijkt uit de vochtige periode die de Sahara opnieuw zou kunnen transformeren in een weelderige uitgestrektheid vol leven. Over een paar duizend jaar
Sahara was ooit weelderig groen, blijkt uit rotstekeningen van 4.000 jaar geleden die vee afbeelden
Sahara was ooit weelderig groen, blijkt uit rotstekeningen van 4.000 jaar geleden die vee afbeelden
Artikel door Michaël Torfs
De rotstekeningen zijn uitgebreid onderzocht tijdens veldwerk in de jaren 2018 en 2019. Julien Cooper van de Macquarie University in Australië leidde toen een team archeologen in het zogenoemde Atbai Survey Project, waarin 16 nieuw ontdekte rotstekeningen uit Wadi Haifa werden bestudeerd.
Vandaag is het een kurkdroge regio in het oosten van Soedan. Maar de tekeningen suggereren dat de omgeving er toen compleet anders uitzag. Er viel veel meer regen en het landschap zag er groen uit, weelderig groen zelfs, moet blijken uit de rotstekeningen waarop vee staat afgebeeld.
"Het was een raadsel om vee afgebeeld te zien op de wanden van rotsen midden in de woestijn, want voor het houden van runderen is veel water nodig, en weiland. Ze zouden in de Sahara van vandaag geen kans maken", zegt Cooper in een mededeling van de universiteit.
Volgens Cooper is de aanwezigheid van heel wat vee in de tekeningen "een van de belangrijkste bewijsstukken van een voormalige groene Sahara". Dat komt ook overeen met eerdere bevindingen van experts.
Groene Sahara?
Eerder archeologisch en klimatologisch veldwerk heeft al aangetoond dat alvast een deel van de huidige Sahara in Afrika er vroeger totaal anders moet hebben uitgezien tijdens de zogenoemde "Afrikaanse natte periode"
Er viel toen veel regen in de regio tijdens moessonregens in de zomer. De vochtige periode zou van ongeveer 15.000 jaar geleden tot ruwweg 5.000 jaar geleden hebben gelopen en dan langzaam zijn uitgedoofd. Er zou plaats geweest zijn voor een afwisselende Afrikaanse savanne waar ook giraffes en olifanten leefden.
Rond 3.000 voor Christus begonnen meren en rivieren uit te drogen en verdwenen ook de grazige weiden. De mensen trokken weg in de richting van de Nijl.
De aanwezigheid van mensen bij het vee suggereert dat de dieren gemolken werden. Er zouden herders geleefd hebben in het gebied, maar zij begonnen het rond 3.000 voor Christus moeilijker te krijgen.
"De bevolking trok weg en er waren hoogstens nog schapen of geiten. De impact op het leven moet groot geweest zijn", zegt Cooper.
De tekeningen tonen niet enkel vee. Er zijn ook boten afgebeeld. Die hebben speciale kenmerken in deze tekeningen, en waren misschien het werk van plaatselijke Nubische Nubische stammen.
Sahara was ooit weelderig groen, blijkt uit rotstekeningen van 4.000 jaar geleden die vee afbeelden
In the heart of China’s karst landscapes, the recent discovery of massive sinkholes that containancient forests play a vital role in biodiversity conservation, and seem to be teeming with life. The karst tiankengs are refuges for genetic diversity, particularly for endangered species like Manglietia aromatica. A new study published the March 2024 issue of the journal Forests provides compelling evidence of these sinkholes’ significance in the conservation of long lost DNA.
The recently discovered sinkhole in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region contains a pristine forest.
Photo: CGTN
Karst tiankengs are colossal sinkholes formed by the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone, which is prevalent in regions like Guangxi, China. These geological formations are not just spectacular natural wonders; they are also ecological hotspots.
Peering down into these giant holes in the Earth, one is greeted not with a desolate rocky cave, but a hidden lush green forest.
The process begins when water acidified by carbon dioxide seeps into the soil, slowly dissolving the underlying limestone. Over time, this leads to the creation of underground voids that eventually collapse, forming tiankengs, which is Mandarin for “heavenly pits.”
With 300 known tiankengs in the world, 200 of which are in China, scientists have been studying the various plants and animals that reside there.
This most recent study conducted by a team of researchers, including Tang Jianmin, from the Guangxi Institute of Botany, utilized advanced Hyper-seq gene sequencing technology to analyze the genetic diversity of Manglietia aromatica, a rare tree species. Sheltered for milenia, this tree thrives in these deep sinkholes, and has avoided the near extinct fate of its surface living brethren.
According to the study, the genetic diversity within the tiankeng populations of Manglietia aromatica is significantly higher than those found outside these sinkholes. Specifically, the genetic diversity index (π) was 0.2044 for populations within the tiankengs, compared to 0.1671 for those outside. The Chinese scientists suggest that tiankengs may act as natural conservatories, preserving a rich genetic pool that enhances species resilience and adaptability.
Moreover, the study revealed moderate genetic differentiation between populations inside and outside the tiankengs. This moderate differentiation underscores the partial genetic isolation provided by tiankengs, which likely contributes to the unique genetic traits observed within these populations. In really simple terms, life inside these underground forests evolved differently, and if this is the case for Maglietia aromatica, what does this say for all the other species of plants and animals that live there?
Cave explorers came across the sinkhole in Leye County. It is 306 metres in length, 150 metres wide and 192 metres deep.
Photograph: Courtesy of Guangxi speleology research team 702
An aerial photo shows a different karst sinkhole in Leye County in 2020.
Photograph: Xinhua/Alamy
An aerial photo taken in April 2020 shows the scenery of a giant karst sinkhole in China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. A similar sinkhole was found earlier this month with an ancient forest at the bottom with trees towering over 100 feet tall.
Xinhua News Agency/Getty Images
“By revealing the plant’s mating system patterns and spatial variation rules, its evolutionary history and the changes in its geographical distribution in response to climate and geological environment changes, our study provides a scientific basis for effective protection,” Jianmin stated.
The unique microclimates and isolated environments within tiankengs foster the development of diverse ecosystems relatively untouched by human activity. The forests within tiankengs are more than just collections of trees; they are dynamic environments that support complex food webs and ecological interactions. The genetic diversity found in these forests contributes to the overall health and stability of the ecosystem, enabling plants and animals to adapt to changes and resist diseases. Furthermore, these forests play a crucial role in carbon sequestration, helping to mitigate climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to know that there are species found in these caves that have never been reported or described by science until now,” George Veni, executive director of the National Cave and Karst Research Institute in New Mexico, told AccuWeather two years ago after the discovery of a 192 meter deep tiankeng in Leye, a county in China’s Guangxi region. With nearly 5 million cubic meters of volume, this is one giant underground cave, filled with massive ancient trees, and countless animals.
The Leye county tiankeng alone supports a diverse array of species, from flying squirrels and civets, to an assortment of reptiles and amphibians, including various snakes, frogs, and lizards. The caves within these tiankengs are crucial habitats for numerous bat species and the underground rivers weaving through these tiankengs are home to many unknown cave fish. One particular species is a ghostly white, blind species, some adorned with peculiar head protrusions, adapted to the dark, isolated aquatic environments.
However, the exclusivity of this habitat makes them particularly susceptible to extinction, with several species already listed as endangered or vulnerable.
The discovery and subsequent studies of China’s karst tiankengs have opened a new chapter in our understanding of conservation biology and the importance of natural refuges in preserving genetic diversity. This most recent study proves that these giant underground forests not only house some of the last remaining members of certain plant and animal species but also genetic variations that have ceased to exist on the surface.
“You don’t know what you’re going to find in each corner, and sometimes we are surprised and occasionally something breaks through our own expectations,” Veni stated back in 2022. “It’s interesting that we’ve gone from living in caves to now studying and exploring them.”
MJ Banias covers space, security, and technology with The Debrief. You can email him at mj@thedebrief.org or follow him on Twitter @mjbanias.
Zou je graag de controle willen hebben over je dromen en ze willen sturen? In Nederland is er een slaaplaboratorium waar dit mogelijk wordt. Laten we er meer over te weten komen.
Lucide dromen zijn heel zeldzaam
Freepik
In het Sleep and Memory Lab van Martin Dresler aan het Donders Instituut in Nijmegen kun je leren hoe je kunt ervaren wat we “lucide dromen” noemen. Het betekent dat je in feite de regisseur wordt van je eigen droomervaring, je realiseert dat je droomt en de “film” regisseert zoals jij dat wilt. Of je nu wilt vliegen, een andere planeet wilt bezoeken of een persoon wilt ontmoeten, je hoeft het alleen maar te willen en voilà: de droom komt uit, althans in onze geest.
Met andere woorden, het is een kwestie van je dromen “hacken” door er controle over te nemen. Bewuste dromen zijn geen gewone ervaring: het is niet gemakkelijk om te beseffen dat je droomt en gebeurtenissen te sturen en in feite gebeurt het maar zelden. Er zijn echter bedrijven die juist in dit fenomeen geïnteresseerd zijn en hun inspanningen richten op de ontwikkeling van apparatuur en hulpmiddelen om lucide dromen te vergemakkelijken.
Lucide dromen, een anomalie van normaal dromen
Martin Dresler en zijn team richten hun onderzoek naar lucide dromen op het monitoren van hersenactiviteit terwijl ze plaatsvinden. "We vermoeden nu welke hersengebieden erbij betrokken zijn, waaronder de prefrontale cortex, maar we weten nog steeds niet precies welke structuren gestimuleerd moeten worden om lucide dromen op te wekken”, legde hij uit.
Voor zijn onderzoek induceert Dr. Dresler lucide dromen bij vrijwillige proefpersonen. Door in wakkere toestand hun zintuigen te stimuleren met behulp van lichten, geluiden en trillingen, nodigt hij hen uit om zich te concentreren op deze prikkels en hun gemoedstoestand op dat moment. Vervolgens zendt hij dezelfde signalen uit wanneer de proefpersonen zich in de REM-fase van de slaap bevinden. Op deze manier kunnen de deelnemers de stimuli herkennen terwijl ze dromen en zich realiseren dat ze zich in een droom bevinden.
Deze techniek is effectief in ongeveer 50 procent van de gevallen, hoewel het droombewustzijn vaak van korte duur is en zelden langer duurt dan 60 seconden.
Volgens Dresler lijken onze hersenen lucide dromen niet te waarderen, dat “nogal onstabiel is. Het lijkt erop dat de hersenen het niet prettig vinden om in deze staat te zijn. Het keert snel terug naar normaal dromen of wakker zijn. In zekere zin zou lucide dromen gezien kunnen worden als iets dat misgaat tijdens een normale droom."
Tijdens een lucide droom kun je communiceren
Een afwijking die dus snel hersteld wordt. Lucide dromen zijn echter een belangrijk hulpmiddel om te ontdekken wat er in onze hersenen gebeurt terwijl we slapen en hoe slaap de consolidatie van herinneringen beïnvloedt.
De vooruitgang van Dresler heeft tot nu toe aangetoond dat het mogelijk is om te communiceren tijdens het lucide dromen: hij vroeg zijn vrijwilligers om ja en nee te antwoorden op bepaalde vragen en om eenvoudige wiskundige bewerkingen op te lossen. Veertig procent van de proefpersonen die de lucide droom beleefden, gaven een correct antwoord met behulp van eerder vastgestelde oogbewegingen.
"We hebben aangetoond dat communicatie met slapende vrijwilligers mogelijk is in beide richtingen, van de onderzoeker naar de slaper en weer terug."
“Normale” dromen zijn belangrijk voor het organiseren van informatie en het verwerken van ervaringen, en laten ruimte voor het onbewuste. Deze functie kan ontbreken in lucide dromen, die echter slechts een klein percentage van de REM-fase vertegenwoordigen, mocht deze zich voordoen, en daarom niet schadelijk zijn.
Tot slot kan het volgens Dresler ook een nuttig hulpmiddel zijn bij nachtmerries: "Met lucide droomtherapie kunnen patiënten zich tijdens een nachtmerrie realiseren dat wat er gebeurt niet echt is en ze kunnen zelfs actieve controle over de droom krijgen, of besluiten om wakker te worden."
Nog onbekende soorten verbergen zich op de meest uiteenlopende plekken op onze planeet, maar onderzoekers hebben een nieuw wezen ontdekt dat er nogal verontrustend uitziet. Hier gaat het om.
Nieuwe soort ontdekt in West-Australië
Ondanks voortdurend onderzoek kennen we nog steeds niet alle wezens die zich op onze planeet verbergen. Sommige hiervan hebben een schattig en grappig uiterlijk, andere kunnen min of meer eng zijn. Denk bijvoorbeeld aan degenen die in de Marianentrog leven, de diepste plek op het aardoppervlak. Er is nu een nieuwe, nog nooit eerder waargenomen soort ontdekt op een van de oudste plekken op onze planeet, dat zich in West-Australië bevindt.
Onderzoekers Mark KL Wong en Jane M. McRae van UWA, University of Western Australia, bevonden zich in het rotsachtige gebied Pilbara, een Australisch woestijnoppervlak, toen ze een gat in de grond maakten van ongeveer 24 meter lang. Hier, ondergronds in het dorre landschap in het land van de kangoeroes, ontdekten ze het kleine wezentje. Hier kunnen de oppervlaktetemperaturen tijdens het hete seizoen overdag 38° Celsius bereiken en overschrijden, terwijl het ondergrondse leven wemelt van leven. Zo verstopt het kleine, sinister uitziende wezen zich in de donkere ondergrond op zoek naar voedsel.
Leptanilla voldemort, de bleke ondergrondse mier
ZooKeys
De nieuwe soort in kwestie heet Leptanilla voldemort en is een ondergrondse mier met een bleke kleur, “slanke bouw, spits toelopende poten en lange, scherpe onderkaken”. Het is de tweede soort van dit geslacht die tot nu toe in Australië is ontdekt, aldus de onderzoekers in hun studie.
De kleine mier is slechts twee millimeter groot, ongeveer net zo groot als een zandkorrel. Na het boren van het gat in de grond kwamen twee exemplaren van Leptanilla voldemort in het net terecht. Toen ze eenmaal boven water waren, zagen de onderzoekers hun lange, gladde en opvallend gekleurde lichamen. "De bijnaam van de soort is een eerbetoon aan de antagonist uit de boekenreeks van Harry Potter, Lord Voldemort, een angstaanjagende tovenaar die, net als de nieuwe mier, slank en bleek is en gedijt in de duisternis”, aldus de auteurs. Het belangrijkste kenmerk van deze soort zijn de bijzonder langgerekte onderkaken en antennes in vergelijking met die van andere Leptanilla-soorten, die voor het eerst werden ontdekt in 1931.
De nieuwe mierensoort leeft en jaagt in het donker
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Volgens de onderzoekers “is het vrijwel zeker een angstaanjagende jager in het donker. Dit wordt ondersteund door wat we weten uit de weinige waarnemingen van jachtgedrag bij andere Leptanilla-soorten, waar de kleine werkers hun scherpe kaken en krachtige angels gebruiken om de duizendpoten die in de grond leven, veel groter dan zij, te immobiliseren." Deze mier heeft in feite geen gezichtsvermogen, maar gebruikt zijn krachtige kaken om in het donker te jagen en zich te voeden. In tegenstelling tot veel andere mieren leeft de Leptanilla in kolonies bestaande uit ongeveer honderd werkers en een koningin. Ze leven ondergronds, hebben geen pigmentatie en door hun zeer kleine formaat kunnen ze zich met extreme behendigheid ondergronds verplaatsen.
Alleen al het feit dat ze klein zijn en in duisternis leven, maakt hun biologie buitengewoon mysterieus. In Pilbara, dat 3,6 miljard jaar oud is, leven veel ongewervelde dieren onder de grond. Nu voegt de kleine Voldemort biodiversiteit toe aan deze oude plek op aarde: "De ontdekking van de raadselachtige mier is een bewijs van de magie van de natuur en de mysteries van het leven in de diepten van de duisternis."
Chinese scientists claim to be on the cusp of a significant breakthrough in underwater military technology, developing a new laser propulsion system that could lead to a new class of “superfast, silent” submarines.
According to recent reports by the South China Morning Post, Chinese scientists from Harbin Engineering University in Heilongjiang province are refining a system that might enable submarines to move faster than the speed of sound using laser-induced propulsion.
Researchers first introduced the new laser propulsion system at the “Applied Optics and Photonics” conference in Beijing in late 2023. During the proceedings, scientists explained that the system utilizes high-energy lasers to direct the force from cavitation implosions to propel a submarine.
In a paper recently published in the Chinese academic journal Acta Optica Sinica, scientists elaborated that the system, named “underwater fiber laser-induced plasma detonation wave propulsion,” works by directing laser energy through optical fibers. These fibers, as thin as human hairs, would coat the submarine’s exterior, allowing directed high-power laser beams to propel the vessel through the water.
The setup purportedly generates up to 70,000 newtons of thrust with just 2 megawatts of laser power, roughly equivalent to the force of a commercial jet engine.
The use of laser propulsion systems represents a significant departure from traditional propellants. Instead of relying on mechanical engines, this innovative method uses lasers to generate plasma in water, creating a wave that propels the vessel forward.
The concept of laser propulsion is associated with the phenomenon of supercavitation or the formation of bubbles around a submarine’s surface. This creates an air pocket that drastically reduces water resistance, allowing the submarine to achieve extraordinary speeds.
Theoretically, a submarine exploiting supercavitation could travel faster than the speed of sound, or nearly 667 knots-per-hour (767 mph). The Soviet twin-propeller K-222 submarine holds the fastest claimed underwater speed, reportedly clocking in at 44.7 knots during sea trials in 1969.
Laser propulsion operates similarly to a magnetohydrodynamic drive (MHD), a concept for marine propulsion that has been explored since the late 1960s.
While a magnetohydrodynamic drive propels a submarine by using electric and magnetic fields to accelerate a liquid or gas, a laser propulsion system propels the vessel using focused laser beams to create plasma.
Also similar to a magnetohydrodynamic drive (MHD), a laser propulsion system would have no moving parts, reducing a submarine’s autistic signature as it passes through the water.
The idea of using laser propulsion for submarines has been explored for decades. Yet, despite these efforts, previous attempts to develop the technology have failed to produce a system with enough power or thrust to be practical.
However, Chinese scientists, led by Dr. Ge Yang, an associate professor at Harbin Engineering University, have reportedly overcome previous hurdles in laser propulsion technology by innovating the structure used to harness and direct energy.
Traditionally, adding devices to constrain the propulsion mechanism was thought to cause significant energy loss. However, the team says they addressed this by integrating a device resembling a gun barrel at the ends of the optical fibers.
Further enhancements involved introducing specially designed structures within the barrels to minimize the interaction and internal friction between shock waves, thereby maximizing the propulsion force.
Researchers said insights from the Chinese aerospace defense sector, particularly in advanced plasma electric propulsion used in hypersonic weapons, were instrumental in refining the technology.
Despite this development’s potential, researchers have not yet addressed several critical challenges. These include confronting the problem of heat dissipation in the optical fibers, their durability in harsh underwater environments, and the integration of the system with existing submarine designs, particularly the surfacing and steering mechanisms.
These issues must be resolved before this novel laser propulsion system is considered viable. However, if realized, the military implications of such technology are significant.
Submarines are vital to national security because of their stealth capabilities and firepower. Successfully developing an operational laser propulsion system would significantly improve the stealth and speed of China’s naval forces, potentially altering the strategic dynamics in the ongoing technological rivalry between Beijing and the United States.
In their paper, researchers note that this breakthrough laser propulsion technology would not be limited to submarines. In addition to improving the efficiency of civilian ships to achieve “green shipping,” authors say the system could enhance a number of naval weapons.
“The system can effectively control the generation of laser energy and spot, achieving precise microsphere propulsion,” researchers wrote. “This method can also be applied to underwater weapons, causing a supercavitation phenomenon, thereby significantly increasing the underwater range of projectiles, underwater missiles, or torpedoes.”
Credit: Ge Yang.
A diagramScreenshot Acta Optica Sinica, Vol. 44 Issue 6/ Yang Ge and Xulong Yang
Laser propulsion is also being researched as a form of space transportation.
NASA/Getty
Tim McMillan is a retired law enforcement executive, investigative reporter and co-founder of The Debrief. His writing typically focuses on defense, national security, the Intelligence Community and topics related to psychology. You can follow Tim on Twitter:@LtTimMcMillan. Tim can be reached by email: tim@thedebrief.org or through encrypted email:LtTimMcMillan@protonmail.com
Lockheed Martin’s new Mako hypersonic missile has officially made its debut, marking the arrival of the first hypersonic weapon developed for compatibility with fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
Capable of delivery from the internal weapons bay of stealth multirole combat aircraft like the F-35, Mako is a stand-off hypersonic air-launched missile developed jointly by Lockheed Martin and CoAspire, who recently unveiled the new weapon at the Navy League’s 2024 Sea Air Space exposition in Maryland.
Developed as a weapon with versatility both in terms of its performance and its cost, Lockheed Martin has presented the Mako to the U.S. Navy, with the potential for additional use on submarines and surface warships in the military’s arsenal. Notably, at the Mako’s official unveiling earlier this month, images were featured that depicted what appeared to be a U.S. Air Force F-35A deploying six of the missiles.
Like its famous and deadly namesake, the Mako shark, Lockheed Martin’s new missile is built to enable quick, devastating action. Designed with rapid capabilities and prowess in multi-target engagement, the Mako is the result of more than seven years of development.
Originally developed as an answer for the Air Force’s Stand In Attack Weapon (SiAW) program, Mako has been presented to the Navy as a multi-mission system capable of attacking a variety of different targets, and which is essentially ready for use.
Despite its design parameters, it has been confirmed that Mako will not be used for the Navy’s Hypersonic Air Launched Offensive (HALO) program.
At just 13 feet long and weighing close to 1,300 pounds when fitted with a 130-pound warhead, the Mako missile is propelled by a solid-fuel rocket motor that helps reduce the overall costs of its operation. Based on its current design, Rick Loy, the Senior Program Manager for Lockheed Martin’s Missile and Fire Control division, recently confirmed that the missile can be used with virtually any aircraft possessing the common BRU-32 heavy-duty ejector rack.
With development beginning in 2017, Mako’s design incorporates rapid response capabilities and a greater standoff range than its larger hypersonic cousins. This enables Mako’s use at much shorter ranges than those envisioned for the Navy’s HALO program or the AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW).
Presently, several of the Mako hypersonic missile’s capabilities remain unknown, which include specifics about the weapon’s multiple guidance systems. However, it is known that the Mako is capable of speeds reaching at least Mach 5 and that the weapon has been fit-checked both electronically and on actual fighter jets and other aircraft that include the Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, as well as the similar two-seat EA-18G Growler. Similar fit-checks have also been conducted with the F-16, the F-15, and all three versions of the F-35 Lightning II.
Aircraft in the F-35 family, which specifically include the F-35A and F-35C, can carry the new Mako missile internally, whereas the F-35B and other aircraft would be required to carry the missile via external pylons. Combining internal and exterior loads would allow as many as six of the missiles to be carried by the F-35A.
Amid rising tensions with nations like China, the Mako’s performance and capabilities could provide a crucial advantage in the event of a conflict, given the new missile’s readiness for use against ballistic missile systems and mobile air defense capabilities that are likely to be utilized as part of anti-access/area denial strategies both China and Russia would likely employ.
Speaking recently at the Navy League’s 2024 Sea Air Space exposition, Rick Loy hinted at the possibility that the Mako could see additional use in the years ahead from surface or ground launch systems, “or even sub-surface like other weapons” that would conceivably extend Mako’s capabilities beyond just launch from aircraft.
Lockheed Martin has also implied that the weapon may be used by other countries, where the missile would offer an accessible and cost-effective solution for militaries wishing to acquire hypersonic capabilities.
Although official imagery depicting the Mako either in real-world testing or artistic representations has yet to be released by Lockheed Martin, video of the new missile as it appeared earlier this month at the Sea Air Space exposition has been made available by Naval News on its YouTube channel, which can be viewed here.
But an incredible new submersible shaped like a UFO looks even outside the capabilities of MI6's Q branch.
The Triton 660 AVA has an expansive transparent 'bubble'-like' window that makes passengers feel at one with the ocean's depths.
While diving up to 656 feet (200 metres) below the water's surface, guests can enjoy dinner, share a bottle of champagne or even get married.
However, with an eye-watering purchase price of $6.3 million (£5 million), the 660 AVA doesn't come cheap.
Triton says the sub can be quickly reconfigured between dives, and can offer a variety of dive activities, including dining or cocktail dives, spa treatments, or even subsea gaming experiences
The Triton 660/9 AVA has been launched as the ultimate vessel for deep sea sightseeing according to maker Triton
The company says on its website that its new 660 AVA provides 'entertainment-focused underwater experiences'.
The sub can be quickly reconfigured between dives and can offer a variety of dive activities, including dining or cocktail dives, spa treatments, subsea gaming experiences or even weddings.
It describes the sub as 'the world’s most intimate place to tie the knot'.
'Operators can take advantage of this space to provide never-before-possible experiences that will surprise and delight discerning guests, even when not sailing near a prime dive site,' it says.
'These singular, expansive spaces afford you considerable flexibility to curate experiences hitherto unimaginable in a submersible, from cocktails and casinos to weddings and private dining.'
The intimate space comes with comfortable leather seating and even in-built mood lighting and a surround-sound audio system, so guests can enjoy music to match the deep sea.
According to Triton, the sub's expansive window uses a patent-pending mix of acrylics, allowing strong but 'transparent hulls in new and irregular geometries'
It has been specifically designed for the cruise and hospitality sectors, with the ability to dive 656 feet (200 metres) below the surface
The craft has echoes of James Bond’s sea-diving Lotus Esprit in The Spy Who Loved Me, above, also known as Wet Nellie (pictured)
According to Triton, the sub's expansive window uses a patent-pending mix of acrylics, allowing strong but 'transparent hulls in new and irregular geometries'.
'A Triton AVA submersible typically offers two to three times the usable volume of traditional spherical hulls – space that can be used to create amazing experiences,' the firm adds.
Triton 660 AVA also comes with a new and improved controller to operate the sub, called the Hammerhead.
Working in tandem with the cockpit, the Hammerhead allows the submersible to be controlled wirelessly from any seat inside the cabin.
So the pilot could move around the submersible while still operating it, or may even hand control of the submersible to a guest.
According to the firm, each 660 AVA submersible comprises of thousands of constituent components, each of which is reviewed and tested to ensure it complies with requirements for certification by a third party.
Florida-based Triton say their craft has been specifically designed for the cruise and hospitality sectors
The Triton DSV Limiting Factor from Florida-based company Triton Submarines, which collided with the starboard hull breach of the Titanic wreck
Patrick Lahey, CEO and co-founder of Triton, said: 'There is a stark difference between the experimental aberration made by OceanGate and the thoughtfully designed and carefully engineered products created by legitimate builders like Triton.
'Fortunately, this message has been conveyed in the media and people now understand this important distinction.
'Certified and accredited subs, like those Triton manufacture have a 40-year track record of perfect safety.
'Certified subs are magical machines that allow people to safely visit and explore a part of our world they simply couldn’t see any other way.'
The privately-owned submersible Titan, created and operated by another US firm called OceanGate, suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' on the way to visit the wreck of RMS Titanic.
The five men on board died instantly, including OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, who had described a deep sea trip aboard Titan as 'safer than crossing the street'.
Titanic director James Cameron, who's renowned for his own deep-sea exploration missions, has said Titan had 'three potential failure points' and indicated that its 'Achilles heel' was the carbon fiber hull.
A luxury yacht that's perfect for high-flyers! Incredible 242ft yacht uses a foil system to 'fly' across the water – but it will set you back £70 MILLION
A luxury 242ft-long yacht has not only been designed to take you on the high seas but also to 'fly' above the water - as long as you have a spare £70 million.
The impressive design concept called the Plectrum was released by the Rome-based Lazzarini Design Studio.
Built out of dry carbon fibres that make it extra light, it uses a foil system so it can rise above the waves and glide along the water at up to 75 knots (86mph).
Italian creators at the Lazzarini Design Studio released images of their latest concept yacht called the Plectrum
(pictured)
At the moment, the yacht remains a concept boat with no set date to arrive on to the market.
Dit is de meest 'buitenaardse' bestemming op aarde Ergens in de Indische Oceaan vind je de meest buitenaardse plek op aarde: Socotra. Een eiland dat toebehoort aan Jemen en een ecologisch heiligdom herbergt. De plek is moeilijk te bereiken en er geldt dan ook een negatief reisadvies voor het eiland, gezien de ideologische en religieuze conflicten. Desalniettemin kun je de omgeving vanuit je stoel veilig ontdekken. Klik verder en ga mee op een buitenaardse reis op aarde!
Tardigrades can survive remarkable doses of ionizing radiation, up to about 1,000 times the lethal dose for humans. How they do so is incompletely understood. In a new study, scientists from the University of North Carolina found that a tardigrade species called Hypsibius exemplaris suffers DNA damage upon gamma irradiation, but the damage is repaired. The study shows that this species has a specific and robust response to ionizing radiation: irradiation induces a rapid upregulation of many DNA repair genes.
An artist’s impression of the tardigrade species Hypsibius exemplaris.
First discovered in 1773, tardigrades are a diverse group of microscopic invertebrates famous for their ability to withstand extreme conditions.
Also known as water bears or moss piglets, they can live for up to 60 years, and grow to a maximum size of 0.5 mm, best seen under a microscope.
Tardigrades are able to survive for up to 30 years without food or water, for a few minutes at temperatures as low as minus 272 degrees Celsius (minus 457 degrees Fahrenheit) or as high as 150 degrees Celsius (302 degrees Fahrenheit), and minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit) for decades.
They withstand pressures from virtually 0 atm in space up to 1,200 atm at the bottom of the Marianas Trench.
They are also resistant to radiation levels up to 5,000-6,200 Gy.
“What we saw surprised us. The tardigrades are doing something we hadn’t expected,” said Professor Bob Goldstein, a researcher at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
In their research, Professor Goldstein and his colleagues examine how Hypsibius exemplaris tardigrades can survive intense radiation.
They found that the species is not immune to DNA damage — irradiation does damage their DNA — but the tardigrades can repair extensive damage.
They were surprised to find that the tardigrades can increase the volume of production from DNA repair genes.
Unlike humans, they can ramp up the level of DNA repair genes’ products to such an extreme extent that they become some of the most abundant gene products in animals.
“These animals are mounting an incredible response to radiation, and that seems to be a secret to their extreme survival abilities,” said Dr. Courtney Clark-Hachtel, a researcher at the University of North Carolina at Asheville.
“What we are learning about how tardigrades overcome radiation stress can lead to new ideas about how we might try to protect other animals and microorganisms from damaging radiation.”
The findings appear in the journal Current Biology.
Courtney M. Clark-Hachtel et al. The tardigrade Hypsibius exemplaris dramatically upregulates DNA repair pathway genes in response to ionizing radiation. Current Biology, published online April 12, 2024; doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.03.019
Er bevindt zich meer plastic op Antarctica dan tot nu toe gedacht. Een groot deel van de deeltjes is zo klein dat ze bij eerder onderzoek niet opgemerkt werden, blijkt uit een Zwitsers onderzoek.
Volgens de Universiteit van Bazel werd er bij eerder onderzoek gebruikgemaakt van een net met mazen van ongeveer 300 micrometer klein, ongeveer een derde van een milimeter. De kleinste deeltjes werden zo niet opgevist.
Bij nieuwe staalnames in de Weddelzee, op Antarctica, stelden de onderzoekers vast dat 98,33 procent van de plastic deeltjes kleiner was dan 300 micrometer. Het internationale onderzoeksteam, onder leiding van de Universiteit van Bazel, publiceerde de data in het tijdschrift Science of the Total Environment.
In plaats van een net maakten de wetenschappers gebruik van een waterpomp, waarmee ze zeewater naar een reservoir overpompten. Ze analyseerden het water met infraroodspectroscopie, waarbij stoffen geanalyseerd worden door gebruik te maken van het infrarode deel van het elektromagnetische spectrum. Ze vonden zo deeltjes die tot 11 micrometer klein waren, een fractie van de dikte van een mensenhaar.
"Er is ongerustheid dat die kleinere en vaker voorkomende deeltjes microplastics een groter risico vormen voor waterorganismes", schrijven de auteurs in de studie. Die levende organismes, die aangepast zijn aan extreme levensomstandigheden, zijn bijzonder kwetsbaar voor vervuiling.
Ook is onduidelijk hoe de microplastics tot in de geïsoleerde Weddelzee zijn geraakt, en of ze er ooit nog weg kunnen. Mogelijke bronnen zijn de scheepvaart in de regio, voor toerisme, visvangst of onderzoek, en de wetenschappelijke onderzoekstations. Maar de microplastics kunnen ook vanuit andere regio's op Antarctica belanden via oceaanstromingen.
Clara Leistenschneider, de hoofdauteur van de studie, toont zich optimistisch in het persbericht van de Universiteit van Bazel. Er wordt veel werk verricht om het probleem beter te begrijpen en om ideeën te ontwikkelen om plasticvervuiling te verminderen, zegt ze.
Scientists have discovered a simple hack in the construction of so-called blue energy generators that dramatically increases the power they collect from the motion of waves.
Previous generations of blue energy generators have suffered from low efficiency, limiting their practical uses. This latest design hack, which simply repositions the electrode in the wave generator, hopes to change that equation, opening up numerous potential applications for this type of kinetic energy generation.
As the world attempts to meet increasing energy demands while also balancing the need for more sustainable power generation options, technologies like solar and wind power that tap into the environment’s natural energy production potential have continued to gain traction. Still, those power harvesting methods have limitations, making them unlikely to completely meet rising demands.
One increasingly popular approach involves collecting energy generated by friction using a technology known as a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). For example, a team of researchers created a prototype ‘rain panel’ equipped with a series of TENGs that collect energy from falling rain. Unfortunately, that invention has yet to make its way to everyday consumers.
Now, scientists say they have taken a 20th-century idea of capturing the energy of ocean waves and added a simple engineering hack that increases their energy output high enough that they could be used for a number of practical power harvesting applications.
Known as a liquid-solid TENG, the tube-shaped device is filled with water and placed on the surface of the ocean. When the waves move, the water inside sloshes back and forth. That motion causes friction on an electrode inside the tube, which in turn creates usable electrical energy that can be collected.
The team proposed improving the device by relocating the TENG from the center of the tube, where it is traditionally placed, to the extreme end. The hope was that the increased kinetic energy from the additional distance traveled by the liquid inside the tube would increase the energy generated by the TENG.
To test their hypothesis, Guozhang Dai, Kai Yin, Junliang Yan, and colleagues decided to construct two of their own liquid-solid TENGS. Each was 16 inches in length and then fitted with a copper foil electrode. The first had its electrode placed in the center location like traditional TENGs, while the second had the electrode placed at the end.
Next, the tubes were filled one-quarter of the way with water and then sealed at the ends. To measure their energy output, each TENG had a wire connected to the electrode and then fed to an external circuit.
Each of the two TENGs was placed on a tabletop rocker device that moved back and forth to simulate the motion of ocean waves. During this process, the electrical output of each generator was monitored externally. As hoped, the simple hack resulted in a dramatic increase in power.
As the press release announcing the blue energy generator hack explains, “Compared to the conventional design, the researchers found that the optimized design increased the device’s conversion of mechanical energy to electrical current 2.4 times.”
The paper outlining the blue energy generator’s improvements, which is published in the journal ACS Energy Letters, goes into more detail, explaining that “through the space volume effect, the open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, and transfer charge of (TENG) can be improved by 3.5 times, 2.3 times, and 2 times, respectively.”
To further demonstrate the improved output of their ‘hacked’ TENG, the researchers also connected it to a series of 35 LEDs and watched them all flash on and off as the fluid inside the generator sloshed back and forth. The researchers note that this demonstration not only shows its power generation capabilities but also one possible application.
“The (TENG) not only boasts high output performance for harvesting low-frequency and high-entropy motion energy, but its output displacement current can also serve as a compact signal generator for underwater wireless communication.”
The researchers did not provide a timeline or clear path for when we might see these types of improved wave power generators in commercial use. However, they did sound hopeful, noting that “these demonstrations lay the foundation for larger-scale blue-energy harvesting from ocean waves.”
Christopher Plain is a Science Fiction and Fantasy novelist and Head Science Writer at The Debrief. Follow and connect with him on X, learn about his books at plainfiction.com, or email him directly at christopher@thedebrief.org.
Waarom de wereld in 2026 zou kunnen vergaan, aldus deze wetenschapper Volgens natuurkundige Heinz von Foerster wordt 2026 een heel slecht jaar voor de mensheid. Terwijl de wereldbevolking blijft toenemen, samen met de voedselonzekerheid, verstedelijking, ontbossing en klimaatverandering, voorspelt Van Foerster dat 2026 het jaar zal zijn waarin deze factoren een kookpunt zullen bereiken. Het interessante is, zoals je in deze galerij zult zien, hoe hij tot die voorspelling kwam, en wat we kunnen doen om dit vreselijke lot te voorkomen.
LEES dus VERDER door deze galerij om te zien wat er kan gebeuren en hoe je mogelijk kunt bijdragen aan het redden van de wereld!
Inleiding tot de voorspelling van Heinz von Foerster Natuurkundige Heinz von Foerster, geboren in 1911, voorspelde dat er in 2026 catastrofale bevolkingsniveaus zouden kunnen optreden, waarbij hij wiskunde gebruikte om een 'Doomsday'-scenario te voorspellen waarin hulpbronnen de menselijke groei niet kunnen ondersteunen.
Historische perspectieven op bevolkingsgroei De Engelse econoom Thomas Robert Malthus, geboren in 1766, theoretiseerde dat de bevolkingsgroei altijd groter zal zijn dan de voedselvoorziening. Hij beweerde dat de verbetering van de mensheid onmogelijk is zonder strikte beperkingen op de voortplanting. Technologische vooruitgang op het gebied van landbouw en voedselproductie heeft de situatie sinds Malthus' tijd verbeterd, maar overbevolking is nog steeds een groot probleem.
De wiskunde achter de doemdagtheorie van 2026 De voorspelling van Von Foerster is geworteld in complexe vergelijkingen, die voorspellen dat de exponentiële bevolkingsgroei in 2026 een onhoudbaar niveau zal bereiken.
Technologische vooruitgang in de voedselproductie Technologische innovatie heeft de voedselproductie aanzienlijk vergroot, waardoor de Malthusiaanse crisis is afgewend, maar ook vragen rijzen over de duurzaamheid op de lange termijn en de impact op het milieu.
Het debat over geboortebeperking en bevolkingsbeheer De theorie van Von Foerster wakkert de discussies over geboortebeperking en ethisch bevolkingsbeheer opnieuw aan als instrumenten om potentiële overbevolkingscrises te voorkomen.
Het concept van een 'Peoplo-stat' De 'peoplo-stat' stelt een regelgevend mechanisme voor om de bevolking op een duurzaam niveau te houden, waarbij de nadruk wordt gelegd op proactieve maatregelen boven reactieve oplossingen.
Ethische overwegingen bij bevolkingscontrole Bevolkingscontrolemaatregelen, waaronder geboortebeperking, leiden tot ethische debatten, waarbij individuele rechten in evenwicht worden gebracht met collectief welzijn en ecologische duurzaamheid.
Mondiale implicaties van een ongecontroleerde bevolkingsgroei Als er geen systemen worden ingevoerd om de rijkdommen en hulpbronnen van de wereld gelijkmatiger te verdelen, zou een ongecontroleerde bevolkingsgroei een risico voor het milieu kunnen vormen en tot nog ernstiger sociaal-economische verschillen kunnen leiden, waardoor een mondiale reactie noodzakelijk is.
Scepsis en kritiek op de voorspelling van de dag des oordeels Critici van Von Foersters voorspelling beweren dat menselijk vernuft en toekomstige technologische vooruitgang de risico's van overbevolking kunnen verkleinen.
Milieu-impact van overbevolking Overbevolking versnelt de milieuproblemen, van de vernietiging van habitats tot klimaatverandering, wat de noodzaak van duurzame strategieën voor bevolkings- en hulpbronnenbeheer onderstreept.
Sociale en economische gevolgen van de bevolkingsgroei De snelle bevolkingsgroei zet de economieën onder druk en vergroot de sociale ongelijkheid, waardoor beleid nodig is dat een rechtvaardige groei en een verdeling van de hulpbronnen bevordert.
Technologische oplossingen en duurzame ontwikkeling Het omarmen van duurzame technologieën is van cruciaal belang om de bevolkingsgroei in evenwicht te brengen met het behoud van het milieu, waardoor de behoefte aan groene innovaties wordt gestimuleerd.
De rol van internationale samenwerking bij bevolkingscontrole Mondiale uitdagingen vereisen uniforme antwoorden; internationale samenwerking op het gebied van bevolkingsbeheer kan leiden tot gedeelde oplossingen voor duurzaamheid.
Culturele houding ten opzichte van gezinsgrootte Culturele normen hebben een aanzienlijke invloed op beslissingen over gezinsplanning, wat het belang van cultureel gevoelige benaderingen van bevolkingscontrole benadrukt.
Historische nauwkeurigheid van doemscenario-voorspellingen Eerdere voorspellingen van bevolkingscrises zijn vaak onjuist gebleken, wat de complexiteit van het voorspellen van de menselijke ontwikkeling en het gebruik van hulpbronnen aantoont.
De psychologische impact van bevolkingsangst Bezorgdheid over de bevolkingsgroei kan het maatschappelijk welzijn beïnvloeden, wat de noodzaak van een geïnformeerd discours en proactieve beleidsvorming onderstreept.
Verstedelijking en de effecten ervan op de bevolkingsdynamiek De snelle verstedelijkingstrend verandert de bevolkingsverdeling en vereist innovatieve benaderingen van stadsplanning en hulpbronnenbeheer. Dit gebeurt zo snel dat veel gebieden het helemaal niet meer kunnen bijhouden.
Landbouwinnovaties om de groeiende bevolking te ondersteunen Vooruitgang in de landbouw, inclusief genetisch gemodificeerde gewassen en duurzame landbouwpraktijken, is van cruciaal belang voor het voeden van de groeiende wereldbevolking.
Het garanderen van de voedselzekerheid voor een groeiende wereldbevolking vereist innovatieve strategieën die de productie verhogen en de verspilling verminderen.
Onderwijs en zijn rol in bevolkingsbeheer Onderwijs, vooral op het gebied van reproductieve gezondheid en gezinsplanning, speelt een cruciale rol bij het beheersen van de bevolkingsgroei en het in staat stellen van individuen om weloverwogen beslissingen te nemen.
Vooruitgang in de gezondheidszorg en hun impact op de bevolkingsgroep Verbeteringen in de gezondheidszorg dragen bij aan lagere sterftecijfers en een langere levensduur, waardoor samenlevingen worden uitgedaagd zich aan te passen aan de daaruit voortvloeiende demografische veranderingen.
Het belang van biodiversiteit bij het in stand houden van de menselijke bevolking Biodiversiteit ondersteunt vitale ecosysteemdiensten waarvan mensen afhankelijk zijn om te overleven, en benadrukt de noodzaak van natuurbehoud te midden van de toenemende bevolkingsdruk.
Waterschaarste en bevolkingsdruk Naarmate de bevolking groeit, groeit ook de vraag naar water, wat leidt tot schaarsteproblemen die innovatieve beheer- en instandhoudingsstrategieën vereisen.
Hernieuwbare energieoplossingen voor duurzaam leven De transitie naar hernieuwbare energiebronnen is essentieel voor het duurzaam ondersteunen van grote bevolkingsgroepen en het verminderen van de afhankelijkheid van eindige hulpbronnen.
De impact van klimaatverandering op de duurzaamheid van de bevolking Klimaatverandering vormt een aanzienlijke bedreiging voor de duurzaamheid van de bevolking, waardoor dringend actie moet worden ondernomen om de gevolgen ervan te verzachten en zich aan te passen aan de nieuwe realiteit.
Economische modellen voor het beheersen van de bevolkingsgroei Het ontwikkelen van economische modellen die rekening houden met de bevolkingsgroei en de beperkingen van de hulpbronnen kan de duurzame ontwikkeling sturen en een eerlijke verdeling van de hulpbronnen garanderen.
Sociale rechtvaardigheid en gelijke toegang tot hulpbronnen Het aanpakken van de bevolkingsgroei vereist een focus op sociale rechtvaardigheid, waarbij gelijke toegang tot hulpbronnen en kansen voor alle geledingen van de samenleving wordt gewaarborgd.
De erfenis van Malthus in hedendaagse bevolkingsdebatten De theorieën van Malthus blijven de huidige discussies over bevolkingsgroei beïnvloeden en benadrukken de aanhoudende bezorgdheid over de menselijke duurzaamheid.
Verder kijken dan 2026: langetermijnvisies voor de mensheid Hoewel 2026 in Von Foersters theorie een cruciaal jaar is, moet de langetermijnvisie voor de mensheid strategieën voor duurzame groei en hulpbronnenbeheer omvatten.
The U.S. Navy is reportedly preparing to test a hypersonic weapon as part of a joint developmental program with the U.S. Army, which aims to unleash the military’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) capabilities.
“The Army is working closely with the Navy in the development of the LRHW,” according to a recent Congressional Research Service (CRS) report. “LRHW is comprised of the Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB), and the Navy 34.5-inch booster.”
The forthcoming test will involve the C-HGB, which relies on the Navy’s booster rocket motor to propel the weapon to hypersonic speeds. Once the rocket is ejected, the C-HGB can glide at speeds of Mach 5 or greater. The missile is designed to be highly maneuverable, which helps ensure it remains difficult to detect and intercept before reaching its destination.
The news of the forthcoming test follows plans the Navy revealed late last year to upgrade several of its warships with a series of 87-inch missile tubes, each capable of housing three C-HGB hypersonic missiles, for a total of 12 per ship. The missile tubes will replace the twin 155 mm Advanced Gun Systems that are currently equipped for each of the Navy vessels.
THE COMMON HYPERSONIC GLIDE BODY (C-HGB)
The C-HGB is the outgrowth of technologies that are more than a decade in the making, originally part of the Alternate Re-Entry System developed by the Army and designed by Sandia National Laboratories in the early 2010s.
Production of the C-HGB for the Army and the Navy has been underway for several years in cooperation with Dynetics, a subsidiary of Leidos, who was contracted to develop the prototypes. Dynetics’ development of the C-HGB prototypes marks the first time that a domestic private sector entity has been tasked with building hypersonic weapons.
“The LRHW system provides the Army a strategic attack weapon system to defeat Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) capabilities, suppress adversary long-range fires, and engage other high payoff/time critical targets,” the recent CRS report read.
Earlier this week at the recent Association of the U.S. Army’s Global Force Symposium, Lt. Gen. Robert Rasch told Defense News that the test would not involve the Army’s ground support equipment but would instead be “a stool launch” that would provide the military “another look at the missile.”
DARK EAGLE: A CLOSER LOOK
Known as Dark Eagle, the Army says its LRHW will be capable of reaching targets within a range of 1,725 miles and reportedly traveling at speeds exceeding 3,800 miles per hour.
After being fired from the Army’s portable ground-based launch units, Dark Eagle can climb high into Earth’s atmosphere, where it remains beyond the reach of air and missile defense systems until it nears its target.
Following the Navy’s initial C-HGB test this spring, the Army plans to conduct a test later this summer from its ground-based truck-launched system, with weapon system integration performed by Lockheed Martin. The Army has organized the LRHW launch systems into batteries consisting of four Transporter Erector Launchers, which are fitted to modified M870A4 trailers.
The U.S. Army’s ground-based truck-launched system, which it will use to launch its Dark Eagle Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon
(Credit: US Army/ Spc. Chandler Coats).
“The M870A4 SEMITRAILER is a 40-ton payload, mechanical folding gooseneck, level-deck trailer with rear ramps capable of handling payloads on primary, secondary, and trail profile roads,” states an unclassified 2019 U.S. Army Budget Line Item Justification. Although originally designed for the transport of large construction equipment, the modified trailers are equipped to house the Army’s Transporter Erector Launchers.
Each trailer features two AUR+Cs with a single Battery Operations Center (BOC) for command and control and a BOC support vehicle. According to the December CRS report, the first battery of eight LRHW missiles is to be operated by a Strategic Long-Range Fires battalion under the 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
In the future, additional LRHW batteries will be assigned to other Strategic Long-Range Fires battalions within the Army’s 1st Multi Domain Task Force (MDTF).
Presently, the U.S. is racing against similar hypersonic developments being undertaken by Russia and China, who have been actively testing similar weapons capabilities for years.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that the U.S. Air Force conducted a test with a prototype hypersonic missile in the Marshall Islands. Formally known as the AGM-183, the missile is an air-launched rapid response weapon (ARRW), a type of hypersonic air-to-ground missile that was the result of a $480 million contract granted to Lockheed Martin in 2018.
Although initial tests began in June 2019, the program was officially canceled last spring following a series of setbacks. However, additional testing that was initially undisclosed to the public continued, and late last year, the first official launch of a full prototype operational AGM-183 occurred at a test range off the Southern California coast.
Last year, the Army and the Navy were met with setbacks of their own, which resulted in the postponement of tests originally scheduled for last March, as well as subsequent Navy and Army tests planned for October and November.
Despite last year’s test cancellations, Lt. Gen. Rasch said that if the Navy’s tests this spring meet their anticipated objectives, the Army will proceed with assembling its own capabilities, which he says are “ready to go” and in varying stages of completion.
Following the Army’s tests later this year, the new LRHW systems will be delivered to the initial Strategic Long-Range Fires battalion at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and thereafter to additional units as they become equipped with the required ground-based launch systems.
Satellite Measurements Show That Global Carbon Emissions are Still Rising
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), human activities have significantly impacted the planet. As global greenhouse gas emissions (mainly carbon dioxide) have continued to increase, so too have global temperatures – with severe ecological consequences. Between 2011 and 2020, global surface temperatures rose by an estimated 1.07 °C (2.01 °F) above the average in 1850–1900. At this rate, temperatures could further increase by 1.5 to 2 °C (2.7 to 3.6 °F) in the coming decades, depending on whether we can achieve net zero by 2050.
Unfortunately, the data for the past year is not encouraging. According to the 2023 Global Carbon Budget (GCB), an annual assessment of Earth’s carbon cycle, emissions in 2023 continued to rise by 1.1 percent compared to the previous year. This placed the total fossil fuel emissions from anthropogenic sources at 36.8 billion metric tons (over 40 US tons) of carbon dioxide, with an additional 4.1 billion metric tons (4.5 US tons) added by deforestation, extreme wildfires, and other sources. This trend indicates we are moving away from our goals and that things will get worse before they get better!
Carbon budgets are essential for assessing humanity’s impact on the planet and implementing mitigation strategies. The budget quantifies how much carbon was added to the atmosphere from fossil fuel use, land-use change, and other factors relative to how much carbon was removed by the planet’s carbon cycle. This refers to how our planet and its ecosystems recycle carbon, which keeps carbon dioxide levels in our atmosphere within certain parameters and ensures temperatures remain stable over time.
For eons, this balance was maintained by photosynthetic plants, organisms, and Earth’s oceans, which absorbed CO2 from the atmosphere. Meanwhile, geological forces (i.e., mantle convection) sequestered it in the Earth’s crust as carbonate rocks. Since the Industrial Revolution, fossil fuel consumption has sharply increased, which has become exponentially worse since the mid-20th century. In addition, the growth of global populations since the 19th century has also seen a commensurate increase in land clearance and ecological destruction.
In short, emissions increased rapidly while Earth’s natural sequestration mechanisms were simultaneously being disrupted. The Global Carbon Budget was established to analyze these trends and prepare reports that inform organizations and help guide climate policy development. This year’s report relied on several data sources, the most notable of which were inventories of emissions collected by governments and energy agencies. Satellite data was provided by NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) instrument to estimate the flux of carbon between the land and atmosphere.
CO2 concentrations have increased from 278 parts per million (ppm) in 1750 to 420 ppm in 2023. In addition to carbon emissions from transportation, power generation, and manufacturing, major contributors this year included the extreme wildfire season in Canada. The data also indicates that the average global surface temperature in 2023 was 1.2 °C (2.1 °F) warmer than the average for NASA’s baseline period (1951-1980), making it the hottest year on record. This is part of a trend where the past ten years (2014-2023) were either the hottest year on record or tied with another year during that same period.
Based on climate modeling and data from the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS), researchers at NASA also create visualizations that illustrate how carbon dioxide is produced and stored every year. The visualization below is based on the most recent full year of available information (2021) and includes data on vegetation, human population density, infrastructure, and wildfires to depict how carbon dioxide was added and removed from the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide emissions are color-coded based on source to show the two main contributors and removal systems.
These include fossil fuel emissions (yellow), burning biomass (red), land ecosystems (green), and the ocean (blue). The Earth’s crust and its oceans are both carbon sinks, meaning they remove more carbon from the atmosphere (and store it) than they emit. However, as the visualization shows, they can also be sources under certain circumstances, depending on the time and place. Surprisingly, the proportion of carbon dioxide that remains in the atmosphere (the airborne fraction) has remained remarkably stable over the past 60 years, even with the continued increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions.
However, scientists question whether and for how long that stability will continue. Ben Poulter, a co-author of the report and scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, summarized in a recent NASA press release:
“Emissions are heading [in] the wrong direction that we need to limit global warming. Amazingly, the ocean and land continue to absorb about half of the carbon we emit. Only about 44 percent of emissions stay in the atmosphere each year, slowing the rate of climate change, but causing ocean acidification and altering how land ecosystems function.”
In 2023, a study led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) analyzed carbon storage in the ocean over two decades. Titled “Decadal Trends in the Oceanic Storage of Anthropogenic Carbon From 1994 to 2014,” this study indicated that this crucial carbon sink could be losing some of its storage capacity. The authors concluded that the ocean has likely slowed its absorption because it has already accumulated substantial amounts of CO2 and that changes in global ocean circulation (due to temperature increases) may be reducing the amount transferred from subsurface waters to the ocean floor.
The chart below, taken from the 2023 GCB report, illustrates how the absorption rates of carbon sinks have changed over time. The report also emphasizes how carbon dioxide emissions are declining slightly in some regions, including Europe and the United States, but are still rising globally. The countries with the largest increase in emissions in 2023 were India and China, reflecting the ongoing “economic miracle” these nations have undergone in recent decades. Based on these latest numbers, there is doubt that world governments will meet their climate goals, as spelled out in the Paris Agreement.
Signed in December 2015, delegates from the 196 signatory countries committed to keeping average global temperature increases “well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels” while “pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C.” According to the GCB team, the current emissions level suggests that the planet’s current carbon budget for keeping temperatures within this range is running out. They also claim that, at present, “there is a 50 percent chance global warming will exceed 1.5°C consistently in about seven years.”
While it may not sound like a lot, this represents an average increase (both annually and globally), and the difference between these two scenarios is stark. As the IPCC explained in its A6 report, an increase of 1.5 °C would lead to more extreme weather (heavy rains and severe flooding), mass die-offs, and the extinction of many animal species. It would also mean that 8% of all farmland and 3 to 41% of fisheries worldwide would be lost due to increased famine and disruption to Earth’s oceans. These risks increase sharply with an average increase of 2 °C, with the projected extinction of up to 18% of all species on land.
Above all, it is important to note that this is not the worst-case scenario. According to the AR6 report, a temperature increase of 4 °C (7.2 °F) would result in irreversible damage to the planet and its species:
“[M]ass mortalities and extinctions are expected that will irreversibly alter globally important areas, including those that host exceptionally rich biodiversity such as tropical coral reefs and cold-water kelp forests and the world’s rainforests. Even at lower levels of warming of 2°C or less, polar fauna (including fish, penguins, seals, and polar bears), tropical coral reefs and mangroves will be under serious threat.”
Data collected by NASA and other federal agencies are now available through the recently launched U.S. Greenhouse Gas Center. This multi-agency effort consolidates information from observations and models to provide decision-makers with one location for data and analysis.
Food fan reviews America's wackiest MCDONALD'S - from the UFO-themed Roswell restaurant and ultra-lavish eatery inside a New York MANSION to Orlando outpost that serves McPizza and McPasta
Food fan reviews America's wackiest MCDONALD'S - from the UFO-themed Roswell restaurant and ultra-lavish eatery inside a New York MANSION to Orlando outpost that serves McPizza and McPasta
Dylan Huynh from California set of on a McNugget filled adventure
He visited five of the country's wackiest outlets in a bid to rank the 'coolest'
The trip started in New Mexico +9where there is a UFO-shaped McDonald's
From an alien theme to a one-of-a-kind pizza, a foodie has lifted the lid on what the most unique McDonald's restaurants in America have to offer.
Dylan Huynh from California set of on a McNugget filled adventure to visitfive of the country's wackiest outlets in a bid to rank which one is the 'coolest McDonald's ever.'
In a YouTube video documenting his trip, he starts his journey in Roswell, New Mexico, where he checks into a McDonald's shaped like a UFO with 'little alien statues' installed outside.
Inside the restaurant, he says it 'actually feels like you're in a UFO' with 'metal plated walls' and even an 'astronaut Ronald McDonald' hanging from the ceiling.
Dylan Huynh from California set of on a McNugget filled adventure to visit five of the country's wackiest McDonald's. He starts his journey at a UFO shaped eatery in Roswell, New Mexico
Inside the restaurant, he says it' actually feels like you're in a UFO' with 'metal plated walls'
In the main dining area, Dylan found an 'astronaut Ronald McDonald' hanging from the ceiling
The colonial era McDonald's, dubbed the McMansion, is set in a 19th-century former farmhouse in Hyde Park, New York
As he opens the 'fancy door' and steps inside, Dylan is shocked by the interiors with a 'grand staircase leading up to the second floor' and exposed wooden beams in the ceiling
Dylan Huynh from California set of on a McNugget filled adventure to visit five of the country's wackiest outlets:
UFO-themed restaurant in Roswell, New Mexico: 'Feels like you're in a UFO'
The McMansion in New York state: 'Pretty to look at but not fun'
World's largest McDonald's in Orlando, Florida: 'Sells McPasta and McPizza'
McDonald's HQ in Chicago: 'The global menu rotates every three months'
CosMc in Illinois: 'Menu designed to boost your mood into the stratosphere'
In terms of the food, Dylan didn't find anything unusual, so he opted for a portion of 20 chicken McNuggets and a McFlurry. Both got his seal of approval.
Before leaving, he snapped a photo with a 'cool alien statue' and bought something from the gift shop.
Next up, Dylan heads to what he deems the 'world's fanciest McDonald's.'
The classical building was saved from being knocked down by local activists and it was given landmark status.
In his YouTube video, Dylan reveals that it became a McDonald's in 1991.
As he opens the 'fancy door' and steps inside, he is shocked by the interiors with a 'grand staircase leading up to the second floor' and exposed wooden beams in the ceiling.
He adds: 'It literally feels like I'm inside someone's house, a very rich person's house.'
Along with a fancy door, he found 'fancy lights, fancy windows, fancy plants, even the trash cans were fancy.'
While he was impressed by the regal interiors, Dylan wasn't so enthused about the ambience. He found the restaurant seemed very empty, with 'no kids' and 'just fancy looking old people.'
As he sits down he says: 'I don't know how to explain this but I feel very uncomfortable in this McDonald's. I feel like I have to whisper.
The third stop on Dylan's whirlwind tour is the world's largest McDonald's, which is located in Orlando, Florida
The sprawling restaurant, which opened in 1975, has a floor area of more than 19,000ft
Dylan reveals that the world's largest McDonald's is 'the only McDonald's in the world that sells the McPasta and the McPizza'
The pizza also gets his seal of approval, despite the floppy base not filling him with high hopes
'I'm just going to go right out and say it. I am not having that much fun at this McDonald's.'
After finishing a portion of chicken McNuggets, Dylan leaves the restaurant with the farewell message: 'Goodbye world's fanciest McDonald's you are pretty to look at but very weird.'
The third stop on Dylan's whirlwind tour is the world's largest McDonald's, which is located in Orlando, Florida.
The sprawling restaurant, which opened in 1975, has a floor area of more than 19,000ft and along with a restaurant, it has a 22ft tall play area and an arcade with more than 100 games.
Dylan reveals that it is also 'the only McDonald's in the world that sells the McPasta and the McPizza.'
As he walks through the restaurant, he points out some woodfired pizza ovens and he even passes an aquarium.
In terms of his food order, Dylan goes to town and spends $64 on a spread of treats including 'the usual chicken McNuggets,' an Oreo McFlurry, the McPasta and the McPizza.
Continuing on his quest, Dylan visits the McDonald's global headquarters in Chicago where they offer a global menu of their delicacies from around the world
Before he orders, the food experts says his initial impression of the restaurant is that it is 'very clean' and 'very modern,' with 'people wearing suits in the kitchen'
When he visits, he decides to order a 'BBQ bacon stack' burger from the UK
A 'filet-o-shrimp' burger from Japan gets the thumbs up from Dylan
Out of the three items, he deems the Korean salted caramel McFlurry with Oreo the winner and he puts in a plea for it to come to the states
He says the colorful bowl of tortellini he orders is 'a lot better' than he expected and he adds that it 'might be better than Olive Garden.'
The pizza also gets his seal of approval, despite the floppy base not filling him with high hopes.
After having a fill and boxing the remnants up, Dylan heads to the arcade to play some games and he spends $120 on a gaming card.
Lastly, he heads to the play area to test out the 'infamous big yellow slide.'
Summing up the world's largest McDonald's he says: 'This place is the exact opposite from the McMansion. The McMansion was dull, gray and quiet [but] this McDonald's was very lively, very colorful and definitely not quiet.'
Continuing on his quest, Dylan visits the McDonald's global headquarters in Chicago where they offer a global menu of their delicacies from around the world.
Before he orders, the food experts says his initial impression of the restaurant is that it is 'very clean' and 'very modern,' with 'people wearing suits in the kitchen.'
When it comes to the HQ's menu, Dylan explains that 'since McDonald's operates in over 118 countries, the global menu rotates every three months to highlight different locations.'
When he visits, he decides to order a 'BBQ bacon stack' burger from the UK, a 'filet-o-shrimp' burger from Japan and a salted caramel McFlurry with Oreo from Korea.
Lastly, Dylan makes his way to the new restaurant CosMc, which is also located in Illinois
The brand - which launched in December 2023 and is named after McDonald's alien mascot from the 1980s and early 1990s - offers a range of colorful slushes, iced teas and coffees
He orders a s'mores cold brew which he deems 'pretty nice,' and a portion of hash browns which he says is 'nice' but on the smaller side
Lastly he tests a drink, which he asked the drive-thru attendant to surprise him with. He tells viewers that it the 'radioactive red' drink features 'popping boba' beans in it
Out of the three items, he deems the Korean invention the winner and he puts in a plea for it to come to the states.
He concludes: 'Even though McDonald's started in America every other country has a better menu than the American one.'
Lastly, Dylan makes his way to the new restaurant CosMc, which is also located in Illinois.
The brand - which launched in December 2023 and is named after McDonald's alien mascot from the 1980s and early 1990s - offers a range of colorful slushes, iced teas and coffees with names such as the Sour Cherry Energy Burst and Turmeric Spiced Latte.
As he nears the new concept restaurant Dylan says: 'It's technically a drive-thru... but from the pictures it looks very, very exciting.
'According to the CosMc website their menu is supposed to be otherworldly and it's designed to boost your mood into the stratosphere. I don't even know what that means but I'm excited about it.'
He orders a s'mores cold brew which he deems 'pretty nice,' a portion of hash browns which he says is 'nice' but on the smaller side, and an Oreo McFlurry, which he says always takes him back to his childhood.
Lastly he tests a drink, which he asked the drive-thru attendant to surprise him with.
He tells viewers that it the 'radioactive red' drink features 'popping boba' beans in it and a lemon and as he tastes it he winces in response to its sour taste.
Following his epic journey across America, Dylan crowns the world's biggest McDonald's in Florida as the winning restaurant, with its unique restaurant-style dishes and big yellow slide.
Miniature Cyprinid Fish Can Produce Sounds over 140 dB, Ichthyologists Say
Miniature Cyprinid Fish Can Produce Sounds over 140 dB, Ichthyologists Say
Danionella cerebrum, a translucent fish species of only 12 mm length, produces high amplitude sounds exceeding 140 dB (re. 1 µPa, at a distance of one body length) — comparable to a jet engine during take-off in 100 m distance.
Danionella cerebrum has a pair of extrinsic, indirect sonic muscles that house the drumming cartilage. When a sonic muscle contracts, the fifth rib is pulled anteriorly and builds tension as it pulls the cartilage. The sudden release of the cartilage causes it to rapidly strike the swim bladder, producing a short, loud pulse. A burst of pulses is generated with either bilaterally alternating or unilateral muscle contractions. In sum, this mechanism enables loud and stereotyped sounds that can be elicited in structured sequences, making it a unique solution for acoustic communication and ultrafast skeletal motion in vertebrates surpassing the limitation of muscle contraction speed. Image credit: Ralf Britz, Senckenberg Natural History Collections.
“The snapping shrimp can generate a popping sound of up to 250 dB with its claws,” said Dr. Ralf Britz, an ichthyologist at the Senckenberg Natural History Collections.
“The mating calls of the flightless kakapo reach 130 dB, and elephants can produce noise of up to 125 dB with their trunks.
“Fishes, on the other hand, are generally considered to be rather quiet members of the animal kingdom.”
“However, there are certain fish species that can be surprisingly loud. For example, the male plainfin midshipman fish attracts its females with an audible vibrato of around 100 Hz and 130 dB.”
In the new study, Dr. Britz and his colleagues examined Danionella cerebrum, a miniature teleost fish with the smallest known vertebrate brain.
“This tiny fish can produce sounds of over 140 dB at a distance of 10 to 12 mm — this is comparable to the noise a human perceives of an airplane during take-off at a distance of 100 m and quite unusual for an animal of such diminutive size,” Dr. Britz said.
“We tried to understand how the fish manages this and what mechanisms are responsible for this achievement.”
Using a combination of high-speed video, micro-computed tomography, gene expression analysis, and finite difference methods, the researchers found that Danionella cerebrum males possess a unique sound-generating apparatus that includes drumming cartilage, a specialized rib, and a fatigue-resistant muscle.
“This apparatus accelerates the drumming cartilage with a force of over 2,000g and shoots it against the swim bladder to produce a rapid, loud pulse,” Dr. Britz said.
“These pulses are strung together to produce calls with either bilaterally alternating or unilateral muscle contractions.”
Due to its small size and lifelong optical transparency, Danionella cerebrum is an emerging model organism in biomedical research.
The species is native to shallow and turbid waters of Myanmar.
“We assume that the competition between the males in this visually restrictive environment contributed to the development of the special mechanism for acoustic communication,” Dr. Britz said.
The study’s results challenge the conventional notion that the speed of skeletal movement in vertebrates is limited by muscle movement.
“Understanding the extraordinary adaptation of Danionella cerebrum expands our knowledge of animal locomotion and highlights the remarkable diversity of propulsion mechanisms in different species,” the authors said.
“This contributes to a broader understanding of evolutionary biology and biomechanics.”
“The sounds produced by other Danionella species have not yet been studied in detail; it would be interesting to learn how their mechanism of sound production differs and how these differences relate to evolutionary adaptation.”
“In combination with its lifelong transparency, the genus Danionella offers a unique opportunity to compare the neural mechanisms underlying the sound generation between the different species.”
The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Verity A.N.O. Cook et al. 2024. Ultrafast sound production mechanism in one of the smallest vertebrates. PNAS 121 (10): e2314017121; doi: 10.1073/pnas.2314017121
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Over mijzelf
Ik ben Pieter, en gebruik soms ook wel de schuilnaam Peter2011.
Ik ben een man en woon in Linter (België) en mijn beroep is Ik ben op rust..
Ik ben geboren op 18/10/1950 en ben nu dus 73 jaar jong.
Mijn hobby's zijn: Ufologie en andere esoterische onderwerpen.
Op deze blog vind je onder artikels, werk van mezelf. Mijn dank gaat ook naar André, Ingrid, Oliver, Paul, Vincent, Georges Filer en MUFON voor de bijdragen voor de verschillende categorieën...
Veel leesplezier en geef je mening over deze blog.