A new survey using satellite imagery and ground penetrating radar has revealed signs of volcanic activity that's far more recent than anyone ever expected.

The study, conducted over a plain known as the Elysium Planitia, reveals volcanic activity that has taken place within the last 120 million years. In fact, some of the identified volcanic activity has been dated to just 1 million years ago.

That's very recent, geologically speaking; and, although we have yet to observe any volcanic activity actually taking place, it suggests that, somewhere on Mars, it might be.

The case suggests that vocal cord paralysis might be a rare complication of COVID infection, caused by the virus' effect on the nervous system.

"Given how common this virus is among children, this newly recognized potential complication should be considered in any child presenting with a breathing, talking or swallowing complaint after a recent COVID-19 diagnosis," lead researcher Dr. Danielle Larrow, a resident at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston, said in a news release.

"This is especially important as such complaints could be easily attributed to more common diagnoses such as asthma," she said.
While there have been several reports of vocal cord paralysis in adults, this is the first report of the complication in a teenager, researchers said.

A UNIGE team shows that the human brain is capable of identifying the vocalizations of certain primate species, if they are close to us and if the frequencies used are also close to our own.

Are we able to differentiate between the vocal emissions of certain primates? A team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) asked volunteers to categorize the vocalizations of three species of great apes (Hominidae) and humans. During each exposure to these "onomatopoeia," brain activity was measured...

"These results indicate the potential for an easy and novel method for early detection of autism and development coordination disorder," said senior author Lisa Aziz-Zadeh, a professor at the USC Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. "This is especially important as motor signatures appear early in autism—usually before social symptoms. And this methodology does not involve potential biasing by the assessor."

"Early identification allows for tailored therapeutic approaches, which result in better long-term developmental outcomes," said first author Christiana Dodd Butera, a postdoctoral fellow at USC Chan. "Having the appropriate therapy for the appropriate child at the most impactful time in development would be the long-term goal of this detection work."

Pre-clinical studies have found YCT-529 is "99 percent effective and 100 percent reversible, with no side effects."

Representing a significant advancement in the field of contraception, the United Kingdom has initiated trials for a hormone-free contraceptive pill designed for men. This groundbreaking trial positions the study group in the country as the global pioneer in testing this innovative form of medication.

When streams of ultra-fast protons collide, a Higgs boson might pop into existence for the briefest instant before decaying into lighter particles.

In that moment, physicists can work backwards to estimate the mass of what could be the most important and yet most elusive particle in the Standard Model.

Having crunched the numbers on a mind-boggling number of proton collisions using the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), physicists now have the most precise figure yet for this all-important property.

Recently, NASA's Curiosity rover achieved a momentous accomplishment by marking 4,000 Martian days since its touchdown on the Red Planet in 2012.

In the last two decades, NASA has sent five robotic vehicles – rovers to Mars, according to the space agency.

Sojourner was the initial rover to explore the celestial planet, succeeded by Spirit and Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance.

At the Centre for Chronobiology of the University of Basel, [Dr Christine] investigates the effects of light on humans and is the first author of a study investigating the effects of different light colors on the internal clock and sleep. The team of researchers from the University of Basel and the TUM has now published its findings in the journal Nature Human Behaviour.

Night mode on screens—useful or not?
We often hear that the short-wavelength component of light from smartphone and tablet screens affects biological rhythms and sleep. The recommendation is therefore to put your mobile phone away early in the evening or at least use the night shift mode, which reduces the short-wavelength light proportions and looks slightly yellowish. Dr. Blume confirms this. However, the yellowish color adjustment is a by-product that could be avoided.

"Technologically, it is possible to reduce the short-wavelength proportions even without color adjustment of the display; however, this has not yet been implemented in commercial mobile phone displays," says the sleep researcher.

When humans get involved in places they weren’t invited, things start to
change. The Moon is no different.

A team of researchers at the University of Kansas believes that human involvement—including the more than 100 spacecraft interactions we have had with our natural satellite over the past 64 years—makes us one of the most dominant forces shaping the Moon.

That’s enough, they believe, to declare a new epoch on the Moon—the “Lunar Anthropocene.”

An experimental and controversial stem cell transplant, which aims to treat traumatic spinal cord injury, has shown promising new results in a phase I clinical trial.

Not only was the single-dose spinal injection safe and well-tolerated by all 10 patients with paralysis, it also resulted in some improved movement and sensation for 7 volunteers.

While that's seriously hopeful, the type and degree of injury seems to matter. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic in the US admit that in all likelihood, only about five percent of patients with a complete injury to their thoracic spine would regain any feeling or movement with this therapy, based on their results.

Nevertheless, neurosurgeon Mohamad Bydon says: "In spinal cord injury, even a mild improvement can make a significant difference in that patient's quality of life."

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Japan’s Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Masahito Moriyama have signed an agreement to advance sustainable human exploration of the Moon.

Japan will design, develop, and operate a pressurized rover for crewed and uncrewed exploration on the Moon. NASA will provide the launch and delivery of the rover to the Moon as well as two opportunities for Japanese astronauts to travel to the lunar surface.