Trump signs order ending US sanctions on Syria, Damascus welcomes move
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday ending the U.S. sanctions programme on Syria, the White House confirmed....
Scientists using the James Webb Telescope have detected potential biosignatures, gases linked to life, on exoplanet K2-18 b, marking a major step in the search for extraterrestrial life. While not confirmed, the findings offer a strong "maybe".
In what could be a major step in the search for extraterrestrial life, scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope have detected chemical signatures in the atmosphere of exoplanet K2-18 b that may indicate biological activity. The gases, dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) are, on Earth, only produced by living organisms, mainly marine microbes like phytoplankton. While not a confirmation of life, researchers consider this a promising biosignature that warrants cautious optimism.
Astrophysicist Nikku Madhusudhan from the University of Cambridge, lead author of the study published in Astrophysical Journal Letters, called it a groundbreaking moment. He said the findings suggest it's now possible to detect signs of life on habitable planets using existing tools, marking the beginning of a new era in astrobiology.
K2-18 b is located about 124 light-years away in the Leo constellation, orbiting a small red dwarf star in the "habitable zone" where liquid water could exist. The planet is roughly 8.6 times the mass of Earth and is believed to be a "hycean world", possibly covered by oceans and with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere, ideal for microbial life.
Previous Webb observations found methane and carbon dioxide on the planet. Now, using different instruments and wavelengths, scientists have identified DMS or DMDS with 99.7% confidence, concentrations thousands of times higher than on Earth, which cannot easily be explained by non-biological processes.
Though researchers are excited, they emphasize that more observations and theoretical studies are necessary to rule out non-living chemical sources. Confirming these findings will require repeated measurements and rigorous testing.
Experts not involved in the study agree the data is compelling but urge careful validation. The long-standing question of whether we are alone in the universe may be closer to an answer, but for now, the evidence remains a strong "maybe".
The U.S. economy faces a 40% risk of recession in the second half of 2025, JP Morgan analysts said on Wednesday, citing rising tariffs and stagflation concerns.
China has ramped up efforts to protect communities impacted by flood control measures, introducing stronger compensation policies and direct aid from the central government.
Severe rain in Venezuela has caused rivers to overflow and triggered landslides, sweeping away homes and collapsing a highway bridge, with five states affected and no casualties reported so far.
A malfunction in the radar transmission system at the Area Control Center in Milan suspended more than 300 flights at the weekend, across northwest Italy since Saturday evening according to Italy's air traffic controller Enav (National Agency for Flight Assistance).
Thousands of protesters rallied in Bangkok on Saturday, demanding Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra resign as political and economic tensions mount.
Over the past year, 162 asteroids flew closer to Earth than the Moon. NASA and ESA warn only 40% of dangerous objects have been identified, with one asteroid posing a small risk of hitting the Moon in 2032.
A Chinese firm has launched what it claims is the country’s first 24/7 intelligent laser weeding robot, aiming to phase out chemical herbicides and cut agricultural pollution at its source.
Set on top of Chile’s Cerro Pachón mountain, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory will soon embark on a ten-year survey, using cutting-edge technology to uncover new secrets of the universe.
Scientists at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences have identified a genetic 'dimmer switch' that controls how genes turn on and off during embryo formation, offering insights for future therapies.
Japan has launched its H2A rocket for the final time, marking a shift to its next-generation H3 programme.
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