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Sustainability Times
13 hours ago
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'Nuclear Fusion Just Got Real': Scientists Unveil Breakthrough That Could Deliver Endless Clean Energy and Erase Fossil Fuel Dependency
IN A NUTSHELL 🌟 The Dalton Nuclear Institute leads in nuclear research , exploring fission, fusion, and medical applications. , exploring fission, fusion, and medical applications. 🔬 Nuclear materials are crucial for reactors, enabling energy production and advancements in medicine and national security. are crucial for reactors, enabling energy production and advancements in medicine and national security. 🔥 Nuclear fusion offers a potential green energy solution, mimicking the Sun's energy production without carbon emissions. offers a potential green energy solution, mimicking the Sun's energy production without carbon emissions. ♻️ Addressing nuclear waste is essential, with the Dalton Institute pioneering solutions for safe and sustainable storage. The quest for sustainable energy has taken a monumental leap with the exploration of nuclear fusion. As the world grapples with climate change and depleting fossil resources, nuclear fusion emerges as a potential game-changer. This innovation promises an abundant, clean energy source, captivating the scientific community's imagination. The Dalton Nuclear Institute at The University of Manchester stands at the forefront of this revolution, exploring the vast landscape of nuclear materials and their applications in various fields, including medical advancements and national security. The Dalton Nuclear Institute: Pioneering Nuclear Research The Dalton Nuclear Institute serves as a beacon of innovation in the field of nuclear research. As part of The University of Manchester, it boasts the UK's most comprehensive academic nuclear research capability. The Institute's work spans a wide array of disciplines, from nuclear fission and fusion to medical applications and social sciences. By fostering groundbreaking discoveries, the Institute is reshaping the future of energy production. The collaborative efforts of experts like Aneeqa Khan and Patrick Hackett have positioned the Institute as a leader in the nuclear landscape, driving forward the understanding and application of nuclear technologies. Nuclear Materials: The Backbone of Modern Technology Nuclear materials lie at the heart of today's scientific and technological advancements. These materials are crucial for building reactors capable of withstanding the extreme conditions found in both fission and fusion processes. The ability to create reactors that provide energy to the grid, as well as experimental reactors that pave the way for future operational fusion reactors, hinges on the development of durable materials. Beyond energy, nuclear materials play a vital role in the medical sector, enabling precise diagnoses and innovative treatments. Additionally, they bolster national security by contributing to the safe and efficient operation of nuclear facilities. The Complexities and Potential of Nuclear Fusion Nuclear fusion, the process that powers the Sun, involves fusing atoms to release immense energy. Unlike fission, which splits atoms, fusion requires recreating solar conditions on Earth. This entails heating hydrogen isotopes to form plasma, reaching temperatures of 180 million degrees Fahrenheit (100 million degrees Celsius). Fusion is heralded as a green energy source since it produces no carbon emissions. Although it is still in its developmental stages, fusion holds the promise of providing a stable baseload of electricity. With its potential for secondary applications like hydrogen production, fusion is poised to be a cornerstone of a diverse, low-carbon energy mix in the future. Overcoming Challenges in Nuclear Fusion Research The journey to achieving commercial nuclear fusion is fraught with challenges. Among the primary objectives are demonstrating net engineering energy gain and developing materials that can endure the extreme conditions of fusion reactions. Researchers are also focused on breeding and handling tritium, a key fuel for fusion, and advancing techniques for remote handling and robotic maintenance. Despite these hurdles, investment in fusion is on the rise, and significant progress is being made. The field requires a skilled workforce, underscoring the importance of training programs. Global collaboration remains essential to harnessing fusion's potential and integrating it into the energy grid. Addressing Nuclear Waste: A Global Imperative Managing nuclear waste is a pressing concern that demands innovative solutions. Institutions like the Dalton Nuclear Institute are at the forefront of research aimed at safe, secure, and environmentally responsible storage of radioactive materials. Collaborating with industry and academic partners, the Institute leads initiatives such as the Nuclear Waste Services Research Support Office and the Sellafield Effluent and Decontamination Centre of Expertise. These efforts focus on addressing the challenges of decommissioning and remediation, ensuring that nuclear technologies can be utilized responsibly and sustainably. As we advance in the realm of nuclear fusion, the possibilities extend beyond energy production. The technologies developed for fusion, such as high-temperature superconducting magnets and advanced robotics, have applications across various industries. From transportation to industrial processes, these innovations could revolutionize sectors reliant on large amounts of heat. As the timeline for achieving successful nuclear fusion extends into the latter half of the century, what steps should we take today to ensure this groundbreaking technology becomes a reliable energy source for future generations? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (26)
Medical News Today
2 days ago
- Health
- Medical News Today
Skin swabs may help detect Parkinson's years before symptoms appear
There is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease, nor are there specific tests for early diagnosis. A new study has identified a way to detect the condition before symptoms appear through the use of skin swabs via sebum and smell. The swabs could offer a noninvasive way to help diagnose Parkinson's disease in people who have not yet developed symptoms. According to the Parkinson's Foundation, more than 10 million people around the world are living with Parkinson's disease — a neurological disease that negatively impacts a person's movement and speech is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease. Although right now there are no specific tests to help diagnose the condition, identifying warning signs of Parkinson's disease as early as possible is critical in helping to slow disease progression. 'Current clinical diagnosis is too late as disease has progressed a lot,' Drupad K. Trivedi, PhD, lecturer in analytical and measurement science at the University of Manchester, told Medical News Today. Trivedi is the corresponding author of a new study recently published in the journal npj Parkinson's Disease that has identified a way to detect the condition before symptoms appear through the use of skin swabs. 'Smelling' signs of Parkinson's diseaseFor this study, scientists focused on testing study participants by using skin swabs of their sebum — an oily substance naturally produced by the skin's sebaceous the skin swabs, Trivedi said they were able to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the sebum. Different VOCs have a distinct smell, which is what helps make each person's body odor unique. 'We have found a few compounds that are expressed differently in people with Parkinson's disease compared to healthy controls as well as those who had REM sleep behavior disorder. A test that is a simple skin swab can potentially be the first test to detect Parkinson's before all the clinical signs start appearing.' — Drupad K. Trivedi, PhDThis study is an extension of two previous studies conducted by Trivedi and his team. The first study in March 2019 identified the presence of VOC biomarkers in the sebum of people with Parkinson's disease that also has a distinct smell. A second study in February 2021 that found a differential VOC profile between participants with Parkinson's disease and controls when analyzing their sebum. All of this research was reportedly inspired by Joy Milne, a research associate at the University of Manchester, who has a condition called hyperosmia, giving her an extremely strong sense of smell. In 2015, it was reported that Milne was able to 'smell' Parkinson's disease on her husband about six years before he received his concept of 'smelling' Parkinson's disease was further validated in a study recently published in the Journal of Parkinson's Disease — for which Trivedi was also part of the research team — that found trained dogs could detect an odor on skin swabs to detect Parkinson's disease. Sebum compound levels may indicate Parkinson's diseaseResearchers recruited 83 study participants. Of this number, 46 had a Parkinson's disease diagnosis, 28 were healthy controls, and nine had isolated REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (iRBD), which is considered to be an early warning sign of Parkinson's disease. Upon analysis, Trivedi and his team found that 55 significant features in the sebum that varied between the groups, and those with iRBD had levels in between those with Parkinson's disease and the healthy controls.'There were 55 features that showed levels for iRBD between healthy and Parkinson's disease,' Trivedi detailed. 'iRBD is one of the prodromal symptoms of Parkinson's disease. This means a good proportion of individuals suffering from iRBD may develop Parkinson's disease in the next decade or more. The intermediate level indicates a progression from control to iRDB to Parkinson's disease.' 'By early detection, we will be able to triage and offer advanced clinical tests, specialist support for confirmatory diagnosis without relying on physical symptoms to appear,' he continued. 'It also creates a potential to develop disease-modifying therapies in the future.' 'Next steps are to quantify these observed compounds in Parkinson's disease and iRBD, and also validate these findings in a long-term prospective study of [a] bigger iRBD cohort,' Trivedi added. Sebum VOCs may also help map Parkinson's progressionAdditionally, Trivedi collected sebum samples from people with Parkinson's disease over a three-year period. From these samples, he was able to find sebum compound patterns that suggest this method may also be used to map disease progression. 'This indicates that molecules we see on (the) skin surface may indicate progression of Parkinson's disease — it is a progressive disease with no cure,' he explained. 'A sudden, rapid progression could be monitored in future using such markers on [the] skin surface. There is also a potential to monitor [the] efficacy of treatment by such an approach.'Possible noninvasive tool for diagnosing presymptomatic Parkinson'sMNT also spoke with Rocco DiPaola, MD, a neurologist and movement disorder specialist at Hackensack Meridian Neuroscience Institute at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in New Jersey, about this study. DiPaola commented that this study's results would offer a noninvasive tool for potentially diagnosing presymptomatic Parkinson's disease. 'While there are currently no treatments that prevent or slow the progression of disease, as these treatments become available, it will be important to identify those at risk prior to symptom onset,' he continued. 'Further studies on a larger scale to further determine validity of results as well as a means to have this available as a standardized test. Although not specific to this study, it would be important to continue to find ways to diagnose Parkinson's disease prior to symptom onset.'
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Long-Lost Nile City Unearthed Beneath Egypt
Archaeologists have unearthed in Egypt a long-lost Nile city containing homes, factories, and a ceremonial 'causeway.' Scientists working in the eastern Nile Delta discovered an entire city beneath a mound at Tell el-Fara'in (Mound of the Pharaohs). Known as Imet, the lost city contained multi-floor homes, ceremonial areas, granaries, and assorted religious artifacts, all of which remain immaculately preserved. The preservation is especially notable as artifacts made of mudbrick—like the structures in Imet—tend to degrade when stored underground. The excavation was undertaken by Nicky Nielsen, a senior lecturer in Egyptology at the University of Manchester, in collaboration with Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the University of Sadat City. "Imet is emerging as a key site for rethinking the archaeology of Late Period Egypt," Nielsen said in a press release. "These tower houses are most commonly encountered in the Nile Delta during the Late Period and the Roman period, and are otherwise rare in Egypt," he continued of the discovery. "That they exist here indicates that Imet was a prosperous and densely constructed city with a sophisticated urban infrastructure."After identifying the site with satellite imaging, the researchers excavated a series of dense, multi-story homes as well as relatively advanced factories built to process grain. Also unearthed were animal enclosures, gesturing towards a rich and vibrant community. There was also a ceremonial 'causeway,' something of a highway which connected Imet to a large center of worship just outside the city. Further excavations are planned with the hope of discovering even more about the lost city's mysterious past. "Imet is becoming a critical location for reimagining the archaeology of Late Period Egypt," Nielsen concluded. Long-Lost Nile City Unearthed Beneath Egypt first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 4, 2025
Forbes
08-07-2025
- Science
- Forbes
Aliens 200 Light-Years Away Could Detect Our Airports, Scientists Say
Major airports may be alerting intelligent alien civilizations to our presence, according to new ... More research. getty Are we being watched? Radar systems at major airports may be doing more than managing air traffic — they could be alerting intelligent alien civilizations to our presence, according to new research presented at the Royal Astronomical Society's National Astronomy Meeting 2025 in Durham, U.L. Both civilian and military radar installations emit powerful electromagnetic signals that, according to researchers from the University of Manchester, could be detected by extraterrestrial observers up to 200 light-years away — if those aliens possess radio telescopes comparable to those used on Earth. 'Our findings suggest that radar signals – produced unintentionally by any planet with advanced technology and complex aviation system – could act as a universal sign of intelligent life,' said lead author Ramiro Caisse Saide, a PhD student at the University of Manchester. The researchers simulated the way airport and military radar signals from New York's JFK and London's Heathrow and Gatwick propagate through space. They then calculated the strength of Earth's radio signature from the perspective of six nearby star systems: Barnard's Star (6 light-years distant) AU Microscopii (32 light-years) HD 48948 (55 light-years) HD 40307 (42 light-years) HD 216520 (64 light-years) LHS 475 (41 light-years) They discovered that airport radar systems globally emit a combined radio output of 2×10¹⁵ watts — enough to be detectable from interstellar distances using telescopes akin to the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia. Military radar systems, which are more like a lighthouse beam sweeping the sky, generate bursts of radiation with peak emissions reaching 1×10¹⁴ watts. 'These military signals can appear up to a hundred times stronger from certain points in space, depending on where an observer is located,' said Saide, adding that it would look 'clearly artificial to anyone watching from interstellar distances with powerful radio telescopes.' The Hunt For Technosignatures In recent years, the focus on whether modern civilizations can be spotted from great distances has focused on exoplanets in other star systems. Researchers generally search for so-called 'technosignatures' — scientific evidence of past or present technology that would indicate the presence of life in another star system. Finding technosignatures is thought to be easier than detecting biosignatures — evidence of microbial life — in distant star systems. In October 2024, researchers used the Allen Telescope Array in Lassen National Forest, California, to search for technosignatures in the TRAPPIST-1 star system, the so-called solar system 2.0 just 41 light-years distant in the Milky Way. They found nothing. Search For Alien Life The research also refines how we might search for alien life. By understanding how human-made signals appear from afar, scientists can more easily search for similar signs from other star systems. There are wider implications to this research than the search for aliens. "The methods developed for modeling and detecting these weak signals can also be used in astronomy, planetary defence, and even in monitoring the impact of human technology on our space environment," said co-researcher Professor Michael Garrett, of the University of Manchester. "By learning how our signals travel through space, we gain valuable insights into how to protect the radio spectrum for communications and design future radar systems." Radio Astronomy Revolution Radio astronomy — the study of celestial objects by observing the radio waves they emit — is on the cusp of a revolution. It's hoped that the upcoming Square Kilometer Array radio astronomy observatory will help researchers look for technosignatures in the cosmos. SKA is a $2.2 billion project that comprises two large and complex radio telescope networks — 197 radio dishes in Karoo in South Africa's Northern Cape and 131,072 antennas in Murchison, deep in the outback of Western Australia. Together, they will form a total collecting area of one kilometer spanning two continents, allowing the detection of very faint radio signals. Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
The Sun
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
We married ‘down' – it's the secret to a sizzling sex life
WHEN red-haired student Jess met trainee bricklayer Bradley in a nightclub, the spark between them was unmistakeable. But while 20-year-old Jess was quickly smitten with her handsome boyfriend, not everyone was quite so pleased. 4 'Bradley bought me a drink, chatted me up and made me laugh,' recalls Jess, then a chemistry undergraduate at the University of Manchester. 'When he asked for my number my university mates were horrified.' It was a similar story with her upper middle class parents. Did poor Brad have bad breath or a drug habit which put off her friends? No. His crime was not having a degree — with Jess's friends and family claiming she was 'dating down'. And she's not the only one. With far more girls now going to university than boys in Britain, increasing number of couples are made up of a white collar wife and blue collar bloke — with some claiming this pairing is the secret to both a healthy bank balance and a sizzling sex life. 'Breath of fresh air' Jess, 30, says: 'Mum and dad made it clear even socialising with a tradie was out of the question — a girl like me was better and smarter than that. 'They wanted the best for me, but I found it boring. 'They wanted me to marry up. Behind the Scenes with Celebs: The Rise of Couples Counselling 'Their friends were constantly bragging about the wealthy or well-to-do husbands their daughters were marrying.' But when Bradley asked Jess out, she instinctively wanted to say yes. She said: 'My inner rebel geek took hold. 'Brad was honest from the start, admitting he'd grown up on a local estate, had been a bit of a ladies' man and wasn't parent-pleasing material. 'He made me laugh, he had great banter and he could fix things.' And Bradley, 41, excelled in another area. Jess says: 'He's also an amazing kisser, great in bed and a lover who was definitely good with his hands.' While once it was the done thing for women to 'marry up' for financial reasons, the tables have turned. Last year, over half of British women reported feeling financially independent. Now females have more freedom when choosing their spouse — and are plumping for males who are more physical and practical than brainy breadwinners. Women are more likely to go to universit y than men. In 2018, 53.6 per cent of girls went on to higher education, compared to 40.2 per cent of boys. Like most women I've always had a 'perfect-man checklist. When I met Rob he didn't tick any of those boxes but I soon discovered that my list was snobby and shallow Laura It seems to be a global trend, with stats showing females being more educated than males in the US, France and Belgium too. This means the dating pool of men at university has dwindled while women can rely on themselves financially. Plus a survey by Materials Market found 74 per cent of women partnered with a blue collar worker said they were good in bed or better than more learned blokes. After seven years together, Jess and Bradley, who live in Chichester, West Sussex, married in 2022 and welcomed their son a year later. Jess says: 'People who think marrying down is wrong are just snobs. 'Brad's amazing in bed, better than university lads. 'Our marriage will last, while girls I know who married up are already divorced.' 4 4 Bradley thinks the marriage works because the couple bring their 'brains and brawn together'. Jess agrees. She adds: 'I may be the brains but he works hard for his money. 'He's not obsessed with keeping up with the Joneses and I find that to be a breath of fresh air. 'When we met, he was living paycheck to paycheck but he still continued to treat me like a princess. 'He wasn't bothered that I was smarter than him. 'When I started work as a specialist pharmacist he was thrilled and didn't care that I earned double his wage. 'I fell out with some of my posh pals who accused me of dating down and slumming it. Brad's building a business. He admits he doesn't understand chemistry, I don't understand the difference between a spanner and a screwdriver Jess 'Brad's building a business. 'He admits he doesn't understand chemistry, I don't understand the difference between a spanner and a screwdriver. 'Tradies are never out of work, they are in demand, and they have great chat. 'I'd rather be with a tradie than a doctor or surgeon.' As for her parents, Jess says: 'When they met Bradley they didn't like him. 'But after a year he'd won them over with his charm, kindness and commitment to our family.' Privately educated Laura Dolphin, 38, had a similar experience when she found love with husband Rob, 40, who left school at the age of 16 to become a mechanic. 'I went to a posh private school and some of my friends were determined to marry up and nab the richest and poshest husbands,' says Laura, who lives in Northampton with Rob and their seven-year-old daughter. 'I have dated lawyers and uber-wealthy businessmen with expensive motors and pedigree backgrounds.' Before meeting Rob in 2013, Laura, who is a CEO for a global company, was in a relationship with someone she describes as a 'super academic' from a wealthy family. She says: 'It ended when I realised he'd never consider me his equal or be interested in my goals. 'I'd realised marrying up meant living your husband's life.' Rob was a corporal in the British Army when he and Laura met. 'Like most women I've always had a 'perfect-man checklist',' she says. 'When I met Rob he didn't tick any of those boxes but I soon discovered that my list was snobby and shallow. 'When he wasn't fixing vehicles in the Army, he taught skiing. 'I was a learner in one of his classes when we met, and for a week, he saw me falling over, sliding on my butt, and making a fool of myself. 'He wasn't someone I'd ever considered dating material but on the last night we shared a drink, had a laugh and he asked for my number. 'Within days, he called. 'We had the same dark sense of humour. 'I'd been an Army reservist, and we could talk about anything. 'They were snobs' 'He didn't care if I'd been to a private school or was a CEO earning more than him. 'He was my opposite and yet we fit. 'When I told a close friend about him she was stunned, telling me he was 'below my rank' and she didn't like him. 'Her response was shocking — we haven't spoken since.' While they may be opposites, Laura says they were the perfect match, marrying in 2016. 'I do the finances, all the household planning and organisation, the timetables and schedules and Rob does the heavy lifting,' she says. 'Instead of the mansion and posh cars I dreamt of, we live in a three-bed terrace with a veggie patch and chickens. 'Rob thinks lots of my mates look down on him, but they're jealous. 'So many of my friends are divorced and those who are still single can't find a man. 'My advice is to chuck out the checklist and marry down — it's a recipe for a happy life.' Rob agrees. He says: 'She's the boss and brains, but being the brawn means I have my uses, too. 'The moment I met Laura, I felt a connection. 'We know our marriage will last.' Dating coach and relationship expert James Preece, owner of HeraHaven, has seen a rise in women looking for 'high emotional intelligence' rather than someone who can provide for them. He says: 'They understand that relationship success comes from having similar values and life goals, and are comfortable with being the main earner.' Pensions and human resources executive Paige Bournett lives in Worcester with her fiance, forklift driver Adam Taylor, 38. They have been together seven years and are getting married in 2026. I was raised to be prim and proper. I was told to stay at school, go to university and marry a lawyer, doctor or businessman Paige Paige, 31, tried 'dating up' but found the men boring, bad in bed and only interested in their needs. She says: 'I was raised to be prim and proper. 'I was told to stay at school, go to university and marry a lawyer, doctor or businessman. 'But every super geek or university lad who asked me out didn't care about my needs. 'When I met Adam at a nightclub in 2018, he was cocky, sure of himself and full of funny banter. 'I was in heaven.' At the time, Adam was in between jobs but this did not deter Paige. Within two months they were a couple and Adam, who left school at 16, spent time on Universal Credit and flitting between part-time low-level jobs. Paige recalls: 'My posh friends were horrified he didn't have a career or 'prospects.' 'I didn't care, they were snobs. 'I had the checklist for a husband — a rich man who would have a big house and I wouldn't have to work. 'Instead, I found a fella who is a forklift driver and earns less than me but is a dedicated fiance and who loves me. 'My checklist was silly, I'd be unhappily single if I'd stuck to it. 'My single friends who at first slagged off my choice are now asking him to introduce them to his tradie mates.' Adam adds: 'Paige was posh and prim when I met her, but she was not a snob. 'She's my uptown girl and I am proud to be her downtown man.'
