Latest news with #GBT
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Astronomers discover 'raw materials for life' can form in planetary systems even before stars
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Scientists are claiming a "cosmic chemistry breakthrough" following the discovery of a large "aromatic" molecule in deep space. The discovery suggests that these molecules could help seed planetary systems with carbon, supporting the development of molecules needed for life. The molecule, called cyanocoronene, belongs to a class of carbon-based organic compounds called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are made up of multiple fused aromatic rings — structures in which electrons are shared across double-bonded carbon atoms, giving them unique chemical stability. "PAHs are thought to lock away a significant fraction of the universe's carbon and play a key role in the chemistry that leads to the formation of stars and planets," National Radio Astronomy Observatory representatives wrote in a statement. "Until now, only smaller PAHs had been detected in space, with this new discovery significantly pushing the known size limit." The scientists determined that cyanocoronene can form efficiently in the cold conditions of space through reactions between coronene and highly reactive cyanide radicals at low temperatures. "This means the chemistry that builds complex organics can happen even before stars are born," the researchers wrote, highlighting that such prebiotic molecules may be common ingredients in the early stages of star and planet formation. The cyanocoronene was identified by the Green Bank Telescope (GBT), part of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, in the Taurus Molecular Cloud (TMC-1). This star-forming region, located in the constellations Taurus and Auriga, is known for its rich and complex chemistry. The GBT — located in Green Bank, West Virginia — is the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope. Standing 485 feet (148 meters) tall with a dish 100 meters (330 feet) in diameter, the GBT is an essential tool for detecting faint radio signals from deep space, including those emitted by molecules like cyanocoronene. Unlike optical telescopes, which collect visible light, the GBT is designed to detect radio waves, a type of electromagnetic radiation with much longer wavelengths. These waves are often emitted by cold, dense regions of space, like the TMC-1, where new stars and complex organic molecules can form. To identify a specific molecule in space, scientists first measure its microwave spectrum in a laboratory. Each molecule has a unique "fingerprint" — a pattern of energy transitions that appears as lines in the radio spectrum. With this information in hand, scientists use the GBT to collect radio waves and look for a match. In the case of cyanocoronene, the researchers found multiple matching spectral lines in the GBT's data, confirming the presence of the molecule in TMC-1 with exceptional confidence far beyond the statistical chance that it would occur discovery opens the door for astronomers and astrochemists to search for even larger PAHs and related molecules. Scientists are now especially interested in how these structures evolve, fragment or interact with other molecules under the influence of ultraviolet light, cosmic rays and shocks in interstellar space. "Each new detection brings us closer to understanding the origins of complex organic chemistry in the universe — and perhaps, the origins of the building blocks of life themselves," Gabi Wenzel, a research scientist in the Department of Chemistry at MIT and the Harvard and Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and lead author of the research, said in the statement. The research was presented earlier this month at the 246th meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Anchorage, Alaska.
United News of India
16-06-2025
- Health
- United News of India
70 pc of the WHO's total vaccines are from India: Govt
New Delhi, June 16 (UNI) Reaffirming India's pivotal role in the global pharmaceutical industry, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel on Monday pointed out that 70 percent of the World Health Organisation's (WHO) total vaccines are sourced from India. She also highlighted that 14 percent of generics imported by the United States come from India, further showcasing India's dominance in the pharmaceutical sector. The Forum, organised by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) under the Union Health Ministry, brings together an international delegation of policymakers, drug regulators, and experts from 24 countries including Liberia, Togo, Mali, and Papua New Guinea, among others. Patel also praised India's flagship initiative, the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), which aims to provide affordable medicines to all citizens. She further noted that the Jan Aushadhi Kendras, which are integral to this program, serve as "shining examples of India's commitment to making quality medicines accessible to all." "These centres have proven to be vital in reducing out-of-pocket medical expenses for millions of Indians," Patel added, underscoring the importance of such initiatives in improving public health. 'As much as 70% of WHO's vaccines come from India…India is the world's top producer of generics, with 14% of the generics imported by the US sourced from India. We also have the highest number of US FDA-recognized drug manufacturing plants,' she said. Furthermore, Patel highlighted India's robust regulatory framework, noting that the country retains the WHO's Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT) Maturity Level 3 (ML3) status. This, she explained, reflects India's commitment to maintaining high standards in drug regulation. The Indian Pharmacopoeia, she added, is now recognised by 15 countries worldwide, with Cuba being the most recent to adopt it as a standard for drug quality. Union Health Secretary, Punya Salila Srivastava, also addressed the forum, pointing out that over 1.75 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (previously known as Health and Wellness Centres) have been established across India, where free drugs and diagnostics are provided to the public. She also discussed the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), a health assurance scheme that offers up to ₹5 lakh coverage per family, benefiting 40% of India's population. The scheme has helped reduce out-of-pocket health expenditure from 70% in 2004 to just 40% today. UNI AJ SSP
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
EXCLUSIVE: An up close look at the Green Bank Telescope
GREEN BANK, (WBOY) — In May, 12 News took a special tour of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Green Bank Telescope (GBT), the largest fully-steerable radio telescope in the world. At 485 feet tall with a 2.3-acre dish, the NSF Green Bank Telescope weighs 17 million pounds, or about 8,500 tons. But why does the GBT need to be so big in the first place and why is the fact that it's 'fully steerable' such a big deal? Green Bank Observatory software engineer Nathaniel Sizemore explained the dish on the telescope is like 'a giant bucket.' 'The bigger the dish, the more signal we can collect and the better chances we have of finding the signal we're looking for,' Sizemore said. But size isn't GBT's only advantage. The fact that it's fully steerable means that it can point to just about any target in the night sky, and can even track objects for multiple hours during extended observations. This is especially useful for observations on things like pulsars, where scientists are trying to make multiple precise time measurements during a single observation. GBT's large size, paired with its ability to track objects, is what makes the telescope so valuable to scientists. In some cases, it's the only telescope capable of making certain observations, like when the telescope was used to look for liquid oceans in Jupiter's orbit. 'The only one that can': Green Bank Telescope to search for liquid oceans in our solar system 'Between the size of the antenna and the fact that we can track that source for hours at a time, theoretically horizon to horizon if we wanted to, we can give [scientists] that data and let them get enough signal to then process that and do the science that they want to do,' Sizemore said. Former West Virginia Black Bear makes MLB debut for Pittsburgh Moving such a massive telescope requires equally massive machinery. The telescope rests on 16 wheels on a circular track, giving it 360 degrees of rotation. Further up is a large arc-like structure that acts as a hinge and counterweight, letting the telescope tilt back and forth. Although the telescope is movable, there are several safety measures to make sure no one is on top of the telescope while it is in motion. Radios are used to notify the control room when people move onto and off the telescope, and each person attaches a safety key near the entrance to the telescope to physically stop it from moving while anyone is aboard. The telescope also has a second manual lock along the arc, which has gaps scientists can use to keep the telescope in a specific orientation. Although you could take the stairs if you wanted, a pair of elevators on the telescope are used to carry people and scientific instruments up and down the GBT. The first one starts at the ground level and goes halfway up, close to the main dish of the telescope. A second elevator begins at the bottom of the telescope's arm and at the top of the GBT. The second-highest level of the telescope is the main reflector dish level. There, maintenance workers can access the underside of the dish using narrow catwalks below the reflective panels that make up the telescope. Using multiple smaller panels instead of a single reflective dish makes maintenance on the telescope cheaper and easier. For example, if a panel at the center of the dish is damaged and a spare isn't on hand, a panel from the edge of the dish can be used to replace it. Using lots of smaller panels has another benefit as well; hundreds of actuators underneath the dish can be used to make small adjustments to individual panels. This means that instead of moving the entire telescope, the panels themselves can be moved to fine-tune the telescope's orientation. North central West Virginia athletes win 26 events at State Track Meet At the very top, just below the telescope's sub-reflector, is where the telescope's instruments are kept. At the time of our visit, all the observation equipment had been removed from the telescope in preparation for an upcoming repainting project in June. Normally, the telescope can freely switch between different measuring tools, like a microscope switching between different magnifying lenses. Unsurprisingly, the top of the telescope also has some of the best views of any level on the GBT. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Shreve Memorial Library to host financial literacy seminars throughout May
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Shreve Memorial Library's Hollywood/Union Avenue Branch, in partnership with Gibsland Bank and Trust, will present GBT Cares Financial Literacy Seminars throughout May. The seminars will focus on understanding credit, ways to save, budgeting, and preventing identity theft. 'GBT has a long-standing commitment to helping customers and communities through volunteer service and financial involvement,' a press release stated. 'Through the GBT Cares Program, GBT helps individuals manage their money, personal finances, and investments by providing education on topics needed to realize long-term personal and financial goals.' Signs of Stroke: what to know for Stroke Awareness Month The GBT Cares Program focuses on five key areas: Earn, Budget, Debt Management, Save & Invest, and Protect. 'Representatives from GBT will educate Shreve Memorial Library patrons on key aspects of financial literacy and ways to improve financial well-being,' the release stated. 'Each seminar will cover a different topic, including need-to-know information about understanding credit, how to save more by paying yourself first, and steps needed to plan a budget in 2025. In addition, the GBT Cares Seminars will cover methods and tips to help prevent identity theft and fraud.' State Treasurer delivers more than $16K in unclaimed funds to Caddo native The seminars are free and open to the public and will take place each Wednesday in May at noon at the SML Hollywood/Union Avenue Branch, 2105 Hollywood Ave. in Shreveport. The schedule is as follows: Wednesday, May 7 – Understanding Credit Wednesday, May 14 – Saving: Paying Yourself First Wednesday, May 21 – Budgeting in 2025 Wednesday, May 28 – Identity Theft Visit for more information about these and other SML programs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
