Week 09: 01 March 2024
#01 🌊🔍🐙 | over a hundred new species discovered in Chile.
The identification of new species underlines the importance of deep-sea ecosystems as reservoirs of biodiversity. However, these discoveries are set against the backdrop of increasing interest in deep-sea mining for minerals critical to renewable energy technologies.
The expanding catalog of marine life enriches our understanding of the planet's biodiversity and highlights the critical need for robust environmental assessments and regulations.
The exploration and characterization of deep-sea ecosystems are crucial amidst growing interest in deep-sea mineral mining, which poses potential threats to these poorly understood habitats. Deep-sea mining for minerals critical to electronic devices and renewable energy technologies could significantly disturb these ecosystems, many aspects of which remain unknown. The scientific data gathered from these expeditions provide essential insights into the biodiversity and ecological significance of deep-sea environments, informing debates on sustainable use and conservation of marine resources.
NOAA Ocean Exploration's 2023 expeditions included a range of explorations off the U.S. West Coast, aimed at improving knowledge about deepwater areas. These expeditions are part of the EXPRESS (EXpanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems) campaign, focusing on collecting data to guide the wise use of marine resources, inform decisions on ocean energy and mineral resources, and improve offshore hazard assessments.
In 2023, The Ocean Exploration Trust's E/V Nautilus spent eight months exploring the Central and Eastern Pacific, focusing on mapping unsurveyed seafloor and characterizing deep-sea habitats. These expeditions prioritized closing knowledge gaps and supported the US National Strategy for Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization, Seabed 2030, and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
Also in 2023, Ocean Networks Canada conducted expeditions in the Northeast Pacific, aiming to discover, explore, and monitor deep-sea ecosystems. These efforts focused on areas with a high concentration of seamounts, hydrothermal vents, and cold seeps, known for their rare biodiversity. The research contributed to conservation efforts and provided valuable data on these ecologically significant areas.
These expeditions involve a collaborative effort among various countries, private foundations, organizations, and companies. Key partners include NOAA Ocean Exploration, the Ocean Exploration Trust, Ocean Networks Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Council of the Haida Nation, and several other indigenous communities and national organizations.
The exploration and potential exploitation of deep-sea resources, particularly through mineral mining, is a subject of intense debate and research. On one hand, deep-sea exploration has led to significant scientific discoveries, such as the identification of over five thousand new species in a potential mining hotspot, highlighting the rich biodiversity and the largely unknown ecosystems that exist in deep-sea environments. This discovery underscores the vast unknowns of deep-sea biodiversity, with studies showing that around 90% of species in some deep-sea mining zones remain unnamed, indicating a profound gap in our understanding of these ecosystems.
The potential environmental disaster that deep-sea mining could entail is not to be underestimated. The process could disrupt ecosystems that have been stable for millions of years, causing irreversible damage. The disturbance of sediment plumes, potential destruction of unknown species, and the alteration of deep-sea habitats are among the primary concerns raised by scientists and conservationists. Moreover, the extraction processes could impact carbon sinks and disrupt food webs, with far-reaching consequences that are not fully understood.
The international community is divided on the issue. While some countries and companies push for the development of deep-sea mining, citing the necessity for minerals in advancing green technologies, others call for a moratorium or outright ban until more is known about the potential impacts. France has called for a ban, while other nations and entities, including the UK, Norway, and China, explore regulations and opportunities for deep-sea mining. The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is at the center of these discussions, with debates ongoing about the formulation of regulations and the environmental safeguards that should accompany any potential mining activities.
The push for deep-sea mining is juxtaposed against a backdrop of significant scientific discovery and environmental concern. The need for minerals for renewable energy technologies must be balanced against the potential for environmental damage and the loss of unknown biodiversity. As exploration continues to reveal the rich life forms and complex ecosystems of the deep sea, the debate over mining these areas highlights the critical need for robust environmental assessments and regulations to protect these largely unexplored and potentially vulnerable marine environments.
#02 🌧️🏙️💧 | China’s sponge cities.
The Sponge City initiative in China, a pioneering approach to urban water management, was formally introduced by the Chinese government in 2013 as part of broader efforts to address urban flooding, water scarcity, and pollution exacerbated by rapid urbanization and climate change. By 2015, the Chinese government had officially selected 16 cities, including Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Wuhan, for the first phase of the Sponge City pilot program. This initiative aims to enable cities to absorb, clean, and reuse up to 70% of rainwater through natural processes and infrastructures, such as permeable roads, green rooftops, rain gardens, and expanded green spaces.
By the end of 2020, more than 30 cities had been incorporated into the program, with the Chinese central government allocating over 86.5 billion yuan (approximately 13.5 billion USD as of the exchange rates at that time) in funding for Sponge City projects. These investments aimed to reduce urban waterlogging, enhance water conservation practices, and improve the urban environment.
Specific projects have showcased significant achievements and challenges. For instance, in Shenzhen, a Sponge City project covering an area of 15 square kilometers aimed to reduce urban flood risk and enhance water sustainability. This project included the construction of permeable pavements, rainwater harvesting systems, and green spaces designed to absorb and purify rainwater. By 2020, Shenzhen reported a decrease in surface runoff and an improvement in water quality in pilot areas.
However, the implementation of the Sponge City initiative has faced challenges, including high costs of construction and maintenance, the complexity of retrofitting existing urban infrastructure, and the need for ongoing technical expertise. In Wuhan, one of the pilot cities, the investment exceeded several billion yuan, highlighting the financial commitment required to transform urban areas into sponge cities.
The primary focus of China's Sponge Cities is on managing water sustainably within urban environments, addressing issues like flooding, water scarcity, and pollution. The Chinese government has supported these initiatives through policy frameworks, technical guidelines, and financial subsidies. Moreover, the success of Sponge Cities has prompted discussions on urban sustainability and resilience worldwide, with other countries exploring similar approaches to urban water management.
#03 🚀🏠🔴 | simulating habitats for Mars.
The development of Simulated Mars Habitats at NASA's Johnson Space Center represents a significant advancement in space exploration and research. These habitats are designed to simulate the conditions on Mars to prepare astronauts for future missions to the Red Planet. The initiative encompasses a comprehensive approach, integrating technology, human factors, and sustainability to ensure the success of long-duration space missions.
Located at the Johnson Space Center, these habitats are engineered environments that mimic Martian conditions, including atmosphere, temperature, and isolation. The purpose is to study human behavior, health, and performance in long-duration space missions. This initiative is globally significant as it lays the groundwork for international cooperation in space exploration and the potential habitation of other planets.
NASA's Johnson Space Center has embarked on an ambitious project to simulate Mars habitats, known as the Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) missions. These missions are designed to mimic the challenges of a year-long stay on Mars, focusing on crew health and performance in a 3D-printed habitat named Mars Dune Alpha. This initiative is part of NASA's comprehensive preparation for eventual human exploration of Mars.
The CHAPEA missions involve four-person volunteer crews who live and work inside the Mars Dune Alpha habitat, a 1,700-square-foot facility designed to simulate the Martian environment. The habitat is equipped to study the effects of isolation, resource limitations, equipment failures, communication delays, and other challenges that astronauts would face on Mars.
Jacobs, a company working alongside NASA and other subcontractors, plays a significant role in building and supporting the simulated Mars habitat. Jacobs has contributed to the CHAPEA project by developing the habitat, recruiting and training staff for 24-hour operations, monitoring the crew through a dedicated Mission Control Center, and ensuring the crew's safety throughout the mission. The company has also focused on creating a realistic environment for the crew, including developing a custom IT infrastructure to simulate Mars' realistic time delay and fabricating custom hardware pieces for the habitat.
This project represents a significant step forward in human space exploration, with the efforts of NASA and Jacobs contributing to the advancement of technologies and methodologies required for long-duration space missions. The knowledge and data gained from these simulated Mars missions are invaluable in planning for the eventual human exploration of Mars, underlining the importance of such ground-based simulations in preparing for the challenges of space exploration.
With a substantial $57.2 million contract awarded under NASA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, ICON is developing a lunar surface construction system named Project Olympus. This initiative aims to leverage local lunar and Martian resources for building, marking a significant step toward sustainable extraterrestrial colonization.
Mars Dune Alpha, a collaboration between ICON, NASA, and renowned architecture firm BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, represents a groundbreaking step in this journey. Situated at NASA's Johnson Space Center, this 1,700 square foot habitat is the world's first and only simulated Mars surface 3D-printed habitat. Designed to support long-duration, exploration-class space missions, Mars Dune Alpha is a high-fidelity environment meant to prepare humans for life on another planet. The structure includes private quarters, dedicated workstations, medical and food-growing stations, and shared living spaces, designed to simulate a realistic Mars habitat. The inclusion of customizable elements such as lighting, sound, and temperature controls, along with a mix of fixed and movable furniture, allows for a dynamic and adaptable living environment.
The collaboration extends beyond just the construction of the habitat. BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group has played a pivotal role in envisioning what a home on another planet would entail from a human experience perspective. The design of Mars Dune Alpha incorporates a gradient of privacy, with an architectural layout designed to prevent spatial monotony and support the crew's well-being during their mission. This project not only aims to prepare astronauts for the challenges of living on Mars but also sets the foundation for a new Martian vernacular.
ICON's work, including Mars Dune Alpha and Project Olympus, highlights the intersection of construction technology and space exploration. By utilizing in-situ resources for building, these projects pave the way for future sustainable habitats on the Moon, Mars, and potentially beyond, underscoring ICON's vision of making humanity a spacefaring civilization.
#04 🌌🤯🌍 | nested gravastars.
The concept of a nested gravastar, building upon the foundational idea of a gravastar introduced by physicists Pawel Mazur and Emil Mottola in the early 2000s, represents a fascinating speculative object in astrophysics. Gravastars themselves, proposed as alternatives to black holes, are thought to be compact objects consisting of a shell of matter surrounding a core filled with "dark energy" or a false vacuum. This theory emerged from the United States as a novel solution to the paradoxes associated with black holes, such as the information loss paradox.
A nested gravastar extends this idea by suggesting the existence of a gravastar with multiple layers or "nests" of vacuum energy and matter shells. This concept adds complexity to the gravastar model, proposing a non-singular endpoint to stellar evolution that avoids black hole singularity. The nested gravastar theory is a testament to the ongoing efforts to understand extreme conditions in the universe, challenging existing paradigms in physics regarding gravity, quantum mechanics, and the fabric of space-time.
The concept of nested gravastars, termed "nestars," emerges from recent theoretical advancements in astrophysics, inspired by the fundamental principles of general relativity. This new theory suggests that gravastars could have a structure similar to Russian matryoshka dolls, with one gravastar nested inside another, potentially extending to a series of nested gravastars. This idea was developed by Daniel Jampolski under the supervision of Professor Luciano Rezzolla at Goethe University Frankfurt. They propose that unlike traditional gravastars, which are theorized to have an infinitely thin shell of normal matter, nestars might feature somewhat thicker shells of matter, making their existence within the realms of our universe more conceivable.
The theoretical underpinnings of gravastars and now nestars challenge our understanding of cosmic objects and their formation, providing a fascinating look into the complexities that general relativity can unravel about our universe.
The exploration of nestars not only adds to the theoretical landscape of astrophysical objects but also underscores the enduring relevance of Einstein's theory of general relativity more than a century after its formulation. Despite the lack of empirical evidence for gravastars and nestars to date, these concepts continue to stimulate scientific curiosity and debate, furthering our quest to understand the universe's most extreme phenomena.
The gravastar hypothesis was motivated by the quest to resolve the conflicts at the intersection of general relativity and quantum mechanics that black holes present. Nested gravastars further complicate this picture by introducing a structure that could potentially have varying properties across its different layers, making it a rich subject for theoretical exploration. Despite their theoretical appeal, nested gravastars, much like their simpler gravastar counterparts, face the significant hurdle of lacking direct observational evidence. This absence of empirical data makes them a subject of intense theoretical study rather than an established physical entity.
Addressing the challenges associated with nested gravastars requires innovative approaches. Advanced computer simulations have become an invaluable tool for theorists, allowing them to model the properties and potential observable signatures of these objects. Meanwhile, the field of gravitational wave astronomy offers a promising avenue for indirect observation, providing a new way to detect the existence of such exotic objects without relying on traditional electromagnetic observations.
The exploration of nested gravastars is not just a purely academic endeavor; it has practical implications for the future of astrophysics and the broader scientific understanding of the universe. Encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration between theorists, observational astronomers, and physicists is crucial for advancing this field. Support for both theoretical studies and observational campaigns can help uncover the mysteries of nested gravastars, potentially leading to breakthroughs in our understanding of the cosmos.
While the concept of nested gravastars remains speculative, its exploration is emblematic of the broader scientific quest to understand the universe's most extreme and mysterious phenomena. Through continued research and collaboration, scientists hope to unravel the complexities of these theoretical objects, challenging our current understanding of stellar evolution and the ultimate fate of stars.
#05 🩹💚🔬 | psoriasis treatments.
A new medical-grade skin wearable designed by 3M in collaboration with Feathm Design Studio, aimed at improving treatment for psoriasis patients. This transparent or translucent patch not only allows for easy application on affected skin areas but also administers the correct dosage of medicine directly. Its innovative design, featuring a perforated honeycomb pattern, can be tailored to fit the shape of the affected area, potentially boosting patient confidence by concealing blemishes more aesthetically during treatment.
Medical-grade skin wearables that administer medication directly to affected areas are designed with a focus on human-centered treatment. They utilize a perforated honeycomb design for customizable application and potentially aesthetic concealment of blemishes. The innovation lies not only in the method of drug delivery but also in considering the psychological and emotional well-being of patients by making the treatment less intrusive and more confidence-boosting.
Medical-grade skin wearables represent a frontier in personalized medicine, offering direct medication administration to affected areas. These devices, including patches or films, are designed to deliver therapeutic agents directly through the skin, targeting specific conditions like psoriasis. Their development reflects an integration of biomedical engineering, pharmacology, and materials science.
Traditionally, treatments for skin conditions like psoriasis have ranged from topical creams to systemic medications. The evolution towards wearables has been driven by the need for more targeted, efficient, and patient-friendly treatment options.
The technology behind these wearables involves sophisticated drug formulation techniques, innovative materials that allow for skin permeability, and digital components for monitoring and feedback.
Ensuring that patients consistently use these wearables and can afford them are challenges. Solutions include improving the wearability and comfort of devices and exploring insurance coverage or subsidy programs.
Research is moving towards even more personalized treatments, such as wearables that adjust medication delivery in real-time based on sensors that detect changes in the skin condition.
#06 🏃♂️🌳🛣️ | Riyadh's 135KM long Sports Boulevard.
Riyadh's Sports Boulevard is a visionary project in the heart of Saudi Arabia, designed as part of the Kingdom's ambitious Vision 2030 plan. This initiative aims to diversify the economy, develop public service sectors, and enhance the quality of life for its citizens by promoting physical and social well-being, culture, and entertainment. The Sports Boulevard is one of the four major projects announced by King Salman to improve Riyadh, alongside King Salman Park, Green Riyadh, and Riyadh Art. It is set to transform Riyadh into a more vibrant and sustainable city, encouraging an active lifestyle among its residents.
The Sports Boulevard was announced as part of Saudi Arabia's larger Vision 2030 reform plan, which seeks to reduce the country's dependence on oil, diversify its economy, and develop public service sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, recreation, and tourism. The concept of the Sports Boulevard aligns with these goals by fostering a community-oriented and health-conscious environment.
The Sports Boulevard extends 135 kilometers, connecting the northwest to the southeast of Riyadh. It is designed to include cycling tracks, horse riding trails, and walking paths, seamlessly integrating with the city's landscape. The project emphasizes sustainability, green spaces, and the preservation of natural habitats, aiming to increase Riyadh's green cover significantly. World-renowned architects and urban planners are involved in this project, although specific names and firms often remain under confidentiality agreements typical for projects of this scale.
The Sports Boulevard is a significant investment into the infrastructure of Riyadh, expected to boost the local economy by creating jobs, attracting tourists, and encouraging international investments. The exact monetary amounts involved in the project are substantial, often running into billions of dollars, reflecting the scale and ambition of Vision 2030 initiatives.
The project places a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability. It aims to increase green areas in Riyadh, thereby improving air quality and reducing urban heat. The use of green technologies and sustainable materials in construction are key components of the project's environmental strategy.
Integrating such a vast project within the existing urban fabric of Riyadh presents significant challenges, including land acquisition, relocation of existing facilities, and the integration with current transportation networks. Innovative urban planning and design solutions, involving extensive stakeholder engagement, are crucial to address these challenges.
The Sports Boulevard project is poised to set a benchmark for sustainable urban development globally. Its success could inspire similar initiatives worldwide, emphasizing the importance of integrating environmental sustainability, economic vitality, and social well-being in urban planning.
#07 👀🎧🌐 | VisionOS and Sound Control.
VisionOS, Apple's pioneering spatial operating system designed for the Vision Pro headset, integrates advanced accessibility features to ensure inclusivity across a broad spectrum of users, including those with disabilities. At the heart of VisionOS's design philosophy is the aim to create a digital environment that is intuitive, immersive, and most importantly, accessible to everyone. This ethos is embodied in features such as eye-tracking and dwell control, which allow users to navigate and select items by simply looking at them, offering a hands-free interaction model that is especially beneficial for individuals with motor disabilities.
Further enhancing the system's inclusivity are hand gestures and pointer control options, providing flexible navigation and selection alternatives that cater to users' diverse physical abilities. VoiceOver and voice commands bring auditory control into the mix, enabling users to interact with the device using spoken instructions and receive audio feedback, a critical accessibility feature for users with visual impairments.
Sound Actions represent a novel addition to VisionOS's accessibility toolkit, allowing users to control the device through simple sound inputs. This feature extends the operating system's accessibility by offering an input method that doesn't rely on traditional physical interactions, making it a valuable tool for users with various disabilities, including those with limited mobility or speech difficulties. The customization and flexibility of Sound Actions underscore Apple's commitment to creating a user-centric experience, enabling individuals to tailor their interactions with the device to their preferences and needs.
Sound Actions include running the Accessibility Shortcut, accessing the Control Center, taking screenshots, activating Siri, and more. To set up Sound Actions, users navigate to the Sound Actions menu within the Settings app under Accessibility.
Despite these advancements, challenges remain in ensuring the accessibility features of VisionOS fully meet the needs of all users. Issues such as the functionality of sound actions in noisy environments or the precision of eye-tracking for individuals with specific visual impairments highlight the need for continuous improvement. Addressing these challenges will require ongoing software updates, user feedback, and advancements in sensor technology.
As spatial computing evolves, prioritizing accessibility will be crucial in realizing the technology's potential for all users. By offering various methods of interaction and customization options to accommodate users with a wide range of abilities, we can ensure equitable access to the digital future.
#08 🧪💉🌱 | 3M’s solventum.
3M, a diversified technology company known for its wide range of products and solutions, has announced its plans to spin off its healthcare business into an independent company called Solventum. This decision reflects a broader trend among conglomerates to streamline operations and focus on core business areas. The healthcare sector, with its unique challenges and opportunities, often requires a dedicated focus to innovate and grow, which Solventum aims to achieve.
3M has a long history of innovation across multiple sectors, including healthcare. Its healthcare business includes medical solutions, oral care products, health information systems, and more. Over time, the healthcare division has grown through innovation and acquisitions, becoming a significant part of 3M's portfolio.
#09 📱🔐🚀 | quantum-secure messaging.
Apple has introduced PQ3, a significant cryptographic update for iMessage, designed to secure messaging against potential future quantum computer attacks. This protocol aims to provide the highest level of security by using post-quantum cryptography for both initial key establishment and ongoing message exchanges. PQ3 combines this with classical cryptography to ensure robust protection. It includes features like periodic rekeying to mitigate key compromises and formal verification to validate its security properties. The rollout begins with upcoming software updates, making iMessage a pioneer in quantum-secure messaging at scale.
Post-quantum cryptography represents a field of study dedicated to developing cryptographic protocols that remain secure in the advent of quantum computing. Quantum computers, with their ability to efficiently solve problems that are intractable for classical computers, such as factoring large numbers (a foundation for RSA encryption) and computing discrete logarithms (used in ECC), pose a significant threat to the security of current cryptographic standards. The development of quantum-secure messaging protocols is crucial for maintaining privacy, data security, and secure communications in a future where quantum computers are commonplace.
As quantum computing technology advances, the urgency for quantum-secure messaging protocols increases. Governments, financial institutions, and various organizations worldwide are investing in post-quantum cryptography to protect sensitive information against future quantum attacks, highlighting its global importance.
The concept of quantum computing dates back to the 1980s, with significant progress made in the subsequent decades. The realization of quantum computers' potential to break current cryptographic schemes led to the emergence of post-quantum cryptography as a field of study in the early 21st century.
The significance of PQ3 lies in its ability to address the threats posed by quantum computing, which could theoretically crack current cryptographic schemes. Apple's implementation of PQ3 in iMessage marks a significant leap in cryptographic security for the platform, setting new standards in the messaging application space. With this update, iMessage becomes the first messaging protocol to reach what Apple calls Level 3 security, providing unparalleled protections compared to other widely deployed messaging apps.
#10 🧘♂️🌿🧠 | long-term meditation & gut health.
Long-term deep meditation has an impact on the gut microbiome, a recent study focusing on Tibetan Buddhist monks has determined that meditation significantly alters the composition of gut microbiota, enriching certain beneficial bacteria associated with reduced anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular disease risks. The research suggests meditation's positive role in psychosomatic conditions and overall well-being, possibly through mechanisms involving the gut-brain axis.
The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication system between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. Meditation's impact on this axis suggests that mental states can affect gut microbiota composition, influencing overall health.
Meditation involves techniques designed to promote relaxation, build internal energy, and develop compassion, love, patience, generosity, and forgiveness. Deep meditation, specifically, refers to practices aiming for profound mental states, often associated with long-term practitioners such as monks.