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- Cosmic past: a special substance in the bowels of the Earth and a new natural phenomenon on Mars
Cosmic past: a special substance in the bowels of the Earth and a new natural phenomenon on Mars
Chinese scientists have discovered an unusual state of matter in the bowels of the Earth. Their experiment showed that the core of our planet is in a hybrid state of matter, which is characterized as something between a solid and a liquid. The James Webb telescope has detected clouds of helium escaping from an exoplanet located more than 210 light-years from the Solar System. Astronomers observed wide streams of gas leaving its atmosphere, which will allow them to better understand how the transformation of distant worlds takes place. Read about these and other most important scientific discoveries in the weekly Izvestia collection.
Scientists have discovered a dangerous effect for future conquerors of Mars
Scientists from the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology have developed a method that will allow them to hear the "signals" of Martian dust. We are talking about microscopic lightning, which occurs in the dry and rarefied atmosphere of the Red Planet's carbon dioxide when particles of sand and dust collide with each other and exchange charges, experts explained. In this case, microscopic discharges are formed, which create electromagnetic radiation. It can be captured and registered as radio waves. These discharges affect atmospheric chemistry, but they also pose a potential threat to spacecraft electronics.
— For a long time, the scientific community only assumed the presence of this effect, but did not have the tools to study it and, more importantly, interpret it. The purpose of our research was to learn how to determine the properties of the particles that cause the discharge and the conditions in which it occurred by the nature of the radio signal. To do this, we applied a three-step method. He combined laboratory experiments and observations in a real environment," Mohamad Abdelaal, an employee of the Department of Space Physics at MIPT, told Izvestia.
The Dust Complex instrument during field measurements in Kalmykia. An electromagnetic analyzer with an antenna is mounted on the mast to register natural radio signals generated by the electrification of dust in the surface layer of the atmosphere.
At the same time, experts note that the colonization of Mars is still very far away. So far, the statements of Elon Musk, who creates a stir around this topic, are primarily aimed at creating a positive background around the new developments of SpaceX.
The cure for obesity from larch
Scientists at Sechenov University are developing a new anti—obesity drug based on dihydroquercetin, a flavonoid obtained from Siberian larch. Previously, the substance was used as an antioxidant. Studies have shown its ability to reduce the body weight of laboratory animals by about 5% per month.
Experts explained that existing weight correction drugs are not suitable for everyone and often cause complications, so the search for safer solutions remains relevant. The main task of researchers now is to increase the bioavailability of the substance.
"We make dihydroquercetin compositions with various compounds. In particular, we are trying to increase bioavailability by adding essential amino acids — lysine, arginine, and histidine. We are evaluating the combinations obtained and we plan to use the one that proves to be the most effective at the next stage of the study," the scientist said.
After comprehensive tests, experiments on animals are planned, followed by the creation of the first drug of this type based on natural polyphenols.
Scientists who have made a contribution to improving the country's standard of living have been awarded in the Russian Federation
Sber named the winners of the 2025 Science Prize. The award was given to scientists whose discoveries create new opportunities for the development of the country and improve the quality of life of Russians. The prize fund exceeded 100 million rubles.
Roman Solovyov, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Deputy General Director for Innovation at Alfachip, was awarded the Digital Universe award for creating methods for designing integrated circuits using AI and implementing neural networks in on-chip systems, which opens up prospects for the development of a new generation of Russian microelectronics.
Sergey Krivovichev, a cademist of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor of the Department of Crystallography at the Institute of Earth Sciences of St. Petersburg State University, was awarded the prize in the "Physical World" nomination for developing fundamentally new approaches in Earth sciences.
Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Deputy Director General for Scientific Work of the National Medical Research Center of Radiology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation Boris Alekseev became the winner in the nomination "Life Sciences". He was awarded for new methods of treating prostate cancer, which significantly increased the life expectancy of patients, and the creation of diagnostic panels.
Young scientists were also awarded for the use of AI in research. Mikhail Medvedev, head of the Group of Theoretical Chemistry at the Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, received the award for the development of methods of digital chemistry based on artificial intelligence. Dmitry Penzar, a researcher at the N.I. Vavilov Institute of General Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, is responsible for the development of neural networks for modeling, predicting the properties and rational design of DNA nucleotide sequences that control the work of genes to solve the problems of biotechnology and medical genetics.
A new state of matter in the center of the Earth
An international team of geophysicists from Sichuan University and the Institute of Geochemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has discovered an unusual state of matter in the bowels of the Earth. This was reported by the National Science Review (NSR) magazine.
Previously, it was believed that the inner core is a solid ball surrounded by a liquid outer core. However, the experiment showed that this region of the planet is in a hybrid state of matter, which is characterized as something between a solid and a liquid.
Seismic observations show that they confirm the hardness of the inner core, but at the same time it has extremely low shear wave velocities and a very high Poisson's ratio, parameters unusual for a classical solid.
"Our results suggest that the inner core may have a liquid-like softness that arises both from the superionic diffusion of light elements and from the collective movement of iron atoms," the publication says.
Allegedly, this study experimentally confirms the previously unknown structure of matter in the inner core, resolving long-standing geophysical and seismological contradictions.
The James Webb telescope recorded clouds of helium leaving the exoplanet
An international team of astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has discovered huge clouds of helium escaping from the exoplanet WASP-107b. The results of the study provide important information about the process of atmospheric escape, which plays a key role in the evolution of planets and the formation of their visible characteristics.
The atmospheres of planets do not always remain the same. Even the Earth loses a small amount of it into space, spewing out more than 3 kg of gas every second — mostly hydrogen. This process, called "atmospheric escape," is especially relevant for planets orbiting very close to their stars. The intense heat they experience can cause powerful gas emissions, making the process a key factor in the long-term transformation of such worlds.
With the help of JWST, astronomers observed wide streams of helium that left the exoplanet WASP-107b, located more than 210 light-years from the Solar System. This is the first time that the James Webb telescope has detected this element on an exoplanet. The discovery allegedly allowed scientists to study the exhaust gases in more detail.
In addition to helium, astronomers have detected water and several chemical compounds in the atmosphere of WASP-107b, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and ammonia.
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