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Why Ocean World Might Have Boiling Seas

“Not all of these satellites are known to have oceans, but we know that some do,” said Dr. Max Rudolph. [ https://www.labroots.com/trending/space/30266/ocean-world-boiling-seas-2](https://www.labroots.com/trending/space/30266/ocean-world-boiling-seas-2)

Could ocean worlds in the outer solar system have boiling water underneath their icy crusts? This is what a recent study published in Nature Astronomy hopes to address as a team of scientists investigated the geochemical processes that could be occurring on ocean worlds orbiting in the outer solar system. This study has the potential to help scientists better understand the conditions on ocean worlds throughout the solar system and where we can best search for life beyond Earth.

For the study, the researchers examined several icy moons orbiting Saturn and Uranus and what could happen as the ice shell on these moons becomes thinner over time. Specifically, they explored changes to the interior oceans beneath the icy shells, as some icy moons currently have oceans while others have evidence of past oceans that have since completely frozen over or escaped to space as water vapor.

In the end, the researchers identified different outcomes depending on the size of the moons. For example, if the ice shells on smaller moons like Saturn’s Mimas and Enceladus and Uranus’ Miranda become thinner, this could cause underlying oceans to boil from the decrease in pressure. However, if the ice shells on larger moons like Saturn’s Iapetus and Uranus’ Titania become thinner, this could lead to the ice shell collapsing, resulting in a type of plate tectonics.

Microbes can survive asteroid impacts to “hop” planets

“Life might actually survive being ejected from one planet and moving to another,” said Dr. K.T. Ramesh. [ https://www.labroots.com/trending/space/30268/microbes-survi…-planets-2](https://www.labroots.com/trending/space/30268/microbes-survi…-planets-2)

Can life transport between planets from impacts? This is what a recent study published in PNAS Nexus hopes to address as a team of scientists investigated how microbes could have come to Earth via asteroid impacts on planets like Mars. This study has the potential to help scientists better understand how life started on Earth and other worlds throughout the cosmos.

For the study, the researchers conducted a series of laboratory experiments where they subjected microorganisms to space-like conditions, specifically extreme pressure changes. The goal of the study was to ascertain the survival rate and overall response to the extreme environment, which could help determine if microorganisms could survive the extreme vacuum of space during a journey from Mars to Earth. This is because meteorites on Earth have been discovered to have originated from large impacts Mars, flinging chunks of rocks into deep space for millions of years, and crashing on Earth.

In the end, the researchers were surprised to find that the microorganisms in their experiments could survive the harshness of outer space, potentially even being able to travel from planet-to-planet. Potentially, if a large impact occurred on Mars, any microorganisms that existed there could survive the long and harsh journey to Earth.

Ultrasound-activated ‘nanoagents’ kill superbugs hiding in biofilms

Scientists have designed nanoagents that act like smart drug-delivery capsules—carrying an antibiotic deep into bacterial infection sites and releasing it only when activated by gentle ultrasound. Delivering antibiotics locally, directly to the site of an infection, is important, because treating the whole body with high doses increases the chances of bacteria developing resistance. Nanoagents can carry drugs straight to the infected area providing localized therapy with minimal amount of drug, reducing the risks of antibiotic resistance.

Publishing their findings in JACS Au, researchers from the University of Birmingham and Nottingham Trent University reveal the results of designing the particles so they can hide an antibiotic, rifampicin, in their interior and testing their antibacterial activity when ultrasound is applied. An antimicrobial drug, rifampicin, is used to treat tuberculosis and Staphylococcus aureus infections, including those associated with medical implants.

Many bacterial infections form biofilms—sticky, protective layers that make them very hard to treat. Biofilms cause a lot of infections and resist many antibiotics because the drugs cannot easily penetrate their thick structure. Water repelling antibiotics like rifampicin are especially ineffective because they struggle to get deep inside these moist, gel-like biofilms.

Interstellar Colonization Compendium

Space is huge, immense beyond our wildest dreams. In order to explore and settle it, we’ll need to learn to dream a lot bigger and bolder than ever before.

Go to https://brilliant.org/IsaacArthur/ to get a 30-day free trial and 20% off their annual subscription.

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Support us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-a… Group: / 1,583,992,725,237,264 Reddit: / isaacarthur Twitter: / isaac_a_arthur on Twitter and RT our future content. SFIA Discord Server: / discord Credits: Interstellar Colonization Compendium Episode 455; July 11, 2024 Produced & Written: Isaac Arthur Narrated by: Isaac Arthur & Sarah Fowler Arthur Editor: Donagh Broderick Graphics: Apogii.uk Bryan Versteeg Fishy Tree Jarred Eagley Jeremy Jozwik Katie Byrne Ken York YD Visual LegionTech Studios Mafic Studios Mark O’Bannon Rapid Thrash Sergio Botero Tactical Blob Udo Schroeter Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creator Lombus, “Cosmic Soup” Markus Junnikkala, “A Memory Of Earth” Miguel Johnson, “So Many Stars” Sergey Cheremisinov, “Sirius”, “Labyrinth”, “Seven Lights” Stellardrone, “In Time”, “Eternity”, “Red Giant”, “The Divine Cosmos” Tara Harkavyi, “Alpha and…” 0:00:00 Intro 0:02:43 Table of Contents 0:04:27 Motivations 0:06:03 Exploration 0:07:43 Population Growth 0:13:12 Resources 0:14:53 Long Term Safety 0:16:20 Escape 0:19:30 Funding & Investment 0:26:32 Spaceship Drives 0:32:08 Ion Drive 0:33:49 Orion Drive 0:34:46 Fusion Drive 0:37:15 Black Hole Drive 0:38:53 Beaming Systems 0:43:09 Ship Types 0:45:26 Faster Than Light Ships 0:46:49 Micro-Jump Ships 0:49:49 Generation Ships 0:59:09 Sleeper Ships 1:05:17 Methuselah Ships 1:10:25 Gardener Ships 1:15:58 Von Neumann Probes 1:18:42 Seed Ships 1:22:18 Data Ships 1:24:29 Ship Shape & Collisions 1:27:22 Collector Ships 1:30:25 Planet Ships 1:32:09 Hybrid Ships 1:34:05 Colonization Strategies 1:35:25 Lowest Hanging Fruit 1:37:58 Percolation Theory 1:40:28 Backfilling Systems 1:42:05 Closest Available System 1:44:31 Crawlonizing 1:49:14 Gardener Chains & Cones 1:51:03 Automated Vanguard 1:54:12 Central Collection 1:55:29 FTL & Multiverse Strategies 1:57:53 Early Settlement 1:59:07 Planets vs Moons 2:00:44 Aurora Effect 2:03:03 Orbital Infrastructure 2:04:42 Getting Neighbors 2:07:16 Solar Economy 2:08:19 Sending Out New Arks 2:10:40 Sponsor 2:11:58 Schedule 2:12:56 Outro.
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Credits:
Interstellar Colonization Compendium.
Episode 455; July 11, 2024
Produced & Written: Isaac Arthur.
Narrated by: Isaac Arthur & Sarah Fowler Arthur.
Editor: Donagh Broderick.
Graphics:
Apogii.uk.
Bryan Versteeg.
Fishy Tree.
Jarred Eagley.
Jeremy Jozwik.
Katie Byrne.
Ken York YD Visual.
LegionTech Studios.
Mafic Studios.
Mark O’Bannon.
Rapid Thrash.
Sergio Botero.
Tactical Blob.
Udo Schroeter.
Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images.
Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creator.
Lombus, \

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Heterogeneity of Treatment Effects of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists

Among adults treated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) for weight loss, efficacy was greater in women than men, but similar across age, race, ethnicity, baseline body mass index, and hemoglobin A1c.

These findings indicate that GLP1RA therapy for weight loss is broadly effective across key patient characteristics, supporting inclusive clinical decision-making. GLP-1 RAs include semaglutide, liraglutide, exenatide, lixisenatide, and dulaglutide.

Question How heterogeneous are the treatment effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) on weight loss, by age, sex, race and ethnicity, baseline body mass index, and baseline hemoglobin A1c?

Findings In this systematic review and meta-analysis of 41 articles representing 64 randomized clinical trials, the efficacy of GLP-1 RAs was greater among women than men but did not otherwise differ by age, race and ethnicity, baseline body mass index, or baseline hemoglobin A1c.

Meaning Except for the difference by sex, the efficacy of GLP-1 RAs for weight loss appears to be consistent across many important subpopulations of patients who may be eligible for treatment.

Enhancing Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of High-Risk Infants

Editorial: A parent-led developmental intervention improved executive function at school age in preterm children, especially in disadvantaged settings, supporting early, home-based approaches for neurodevelopment.

In a report of a trial in JAMA Pediatr ics, Tarouco et al1 describe studying the effect of a parent-led enhanced developmental intervention (EDI) on executive function at school age among children born preterm in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The intervention took place from ages 7 months to 12 months, and children who received parent-led EDI performed significantly better than those in the usual care group across all 4 domains assessed, with the strongest effects noted for motor persistence and inhibition.2

Executive function refers to the set of higher-order cognitive processes involved in emotional self-regulation and independent goal-directed behavior.3 Specifically, executive function comprises 3 major facets, working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility, which form the basis of critical processes such as reasoning, problem-solving, and planning.4 As Tarouco et al1 note, executive function has been found to be more important for school readiness than a child’s IQ or entry-level reading or math skills.5 Children born preterm are more likely to have deficits in executive function as a consequence of numerous factors, including brain injury and reduced brain volume in regions associated with executive functioning (cerebral white matter; frontal, parietal, and temporal cortices; basal ganglia; and cerebellum) compared with term-born controls; medical comorbidities associated with prematurity (eg, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis) causing further oxidative damage; and neurosensory impairments.6 These deficits lead to academic challenges with lower scores in mathematics, reading, spelling, and writing; increased risk of learning disabilities; and multiple challenges navigating the demands of daily life.7 Given these widespread consequences, interventions addressing executive function are crucial in mitigating developmental delays in preterm infants and improving school success and participation. The neonatal and early infancy periods represent a window of opportunity to leverage the developing brain’s neuroplasticity to enhance long-term social and academic development.8

The majority of studies on measuring and improving executive function have been conducted in high-income, typically Western, industrialized countries, which represent a small fraction of the global population.9 Environmental and cultural factors, including home familial structure, diet and nutrition, parenting styles, home enrichment, and early life experiences, can vary vastly between high-income settings and low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs). There are a dearth of data surrounding interventions tailored to improving executive function in LMICs and a limited understanding of the factors that are protective for early development. The study by Tarouco et al1 adds valuable data relevant to this need. Importantly, the study intervention demonstrated benefit among a study cohort with social disadvantage because the majority of participants were receiving governmental assistance and attending public schools and participant mothers were largely from low socioeconomic strata.

Endogenous retroviruses synthesize heterologous chimeric RNAs to reinforce human early embryo development

New findings in Science offer insight into why some embryos fail to develop past zygotic genome activation, pointing to an unexpected root of human infertility.

Zygotic genome activation (ZGA) failure leads to developmental arrest and poses a clinical challenge to women’s fertility. We observed that human embryos arresting at the eight-cell ZGA stage exhibited specific down-regulation of endogenous retrovirus MLT2A1. Depleting MLT2A1 resulted in a failure in embryo development and a reduction in ZGA gene expression. Mechanistically, MLT2A1s synthesized chimeric transcripts with downstream coding and noncoding sequences, predominantly with heterologous retro–transposable elements. These diverse fusion sequences expanded the genome-targeting spectrum of MLT2A1 RNAs. Nevertheless, the shared MLT2A1 sequences partnered with heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U (HNRNPU) to recruit RNA polymerase II, promoting global transcription of ZGA genes and autoamplification of the MLT2A1 subfamily.

Discovery of energetic ionic cocrystals via high-throughput virtual screening

Researchers developed a faster, more targeted way to design ionic cocrystals (ICCs) of the energetic oxidizer ammonium dinitramide (ADN).

Using high‑throughput virtual screening with the CSD Python interface and RDKit, followed by quick experimental tests, they identified and synthesized a new ADN cocrystal with oxalyl dihydrazide (OHD).

Read the full paper here.

Ionic cocrystals (ICCs) offer a promising strategy to tailor the properties of energetic oxidizers like ammonium dinitramide (ADN). However, the current design process of ADN-based ICCs remains heavily reliant on empirical trial-and-error methods, which significantly impedes development efficiency and presents a fundamental challenge in balancing energy performance and hygroscopicity. Herein, we leverage a high-throughput virtual screening strategy to identify coformers of ADN cocrystals that meet requirements for structures and performances, integrating the CSD Python interface and RDKit via custom Python scripts. Combined with rapid experimental screening, the first ADN cocrystal with balanced hygroscopicity and energy is successfully synthesized using a commercially available coformer oxalyl dihydrazide (OHD). The resulting ADN/OHD cocrystal exhibits a positive oxygen balance of +4.37%, enhanced moisture resistance and thermal stability. Moreover, compared to pure ADN, ADN/OHD delivers a 27.6% higher specific impulse, along with excellent green processability and engineering scalability. This work establishes a rational and scalable approach for developing perchlorate-free oxidizer cocrystals with well-balanced properties, and also provides a generalizable paradigm for the performance-oriented design of ICCs.

Pnictogen-bonding-crosslinked polymer networks: constructing self-healing materials

Herein, we introduce pnictogen bonding interaction into polymer networks for the design and modulation of dynamic macromolecular materials. Several types of polymeric pnictogen-bonding networks with graded interaction strengths were constructed to explore the structure–property relationship. Comprehensive investigations revealed that strengthening the pnictogen bonding significantly enhances the topological stability of the resulting materials. In contrast, analogous hydrogen-bonded networks did not exhibit comparable mechanical reinforcement. Moreover, the pnictogen-bonding networks endow the materials with tunable self-healing capability, allowing not only spontaneous healing at room temperature and thermally triggered healing on demand, but also effective healing in aqueous environments. This represents the first exploration of self-healing behavior driven by pnictogen bonding in polymeric materials. Mechanistic insights into the role of pnictogen bonding in polymer networks were elucidated through NMR titration of donor–acceptor polymer pairs, comparative self-assembly behavior, and cocrystal structures of small-molecule analogues. The incorporation of pnictogen bonding interaction into polymer networks provides a robust and versatile platform for engineering high-performance dynamic polymeric materials.

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