United News of Bangladesh

The brilliant core of a spiral galaxy has been captured in a striking new image released by the NASA’s Webb Space Telescope, showing its intense glow outshining all surrounding features. The newly released picture depicts the Messier 77 galaxy, located about 45 million light-years away in the Cetus (whale) constellation. A light-year is roughly 6 trillion miles. At the centre of the galaxy lies an active nucleus powered by a supermassive black hole estimated to be eight million times more massive than the sun. Surrounding gas is drawn into a tight orbit around the black hole, heating up to extreme temperatures and emitting intense radiation. The telescope’s mid-infrared instrument captured the detailed structure and brightness of the region. Study suggests Universe may be finely tuned for life, scientists say The James Webb Space Telescope, the world’s largest and most powerful space observatory, has been documenting deep space phenomena since its launch in 2021.

Scientists have proposed a new theory suggesting that the basic laws of the Universe may be closely linked to the existence of life itself. Researchers from Queen Mary University of London say the Universe’s fundamental physical constants appear to fall within a very narrow range that allows liquids such as water and blood to flow properly, making life possible. The study, published in the journal Science Advances in 2023, argues that even a small change in these constants could make liquids either too thick or too thin for living organisms to survive. Scientists explained that life depends heavily on the movement of liquids at microscopic levels. Nutrients must travel through cells, proteins need to fold correctly and molecules constantly move through watery environments inside the body. All of these processes depend on viscosity, the property that determines how easily a liquid flows. According to the researchers, if the fundamental constants of physics changed by only a few percent, water and other biological fluids could behave very differently, possibly preventing complex life from developing. Physicist Kostya Trachenko said the findings show a surprising connection between everyday liquid flow and some of the deepest questions in physics. He noted that if water became as thick as tar, life in its current form might not exist at all. The same would apply to blood and cellular fluids that living organisms rely on. The researchers said even slight changes in constants such as the Planck constant or electron charge could make blood too thick or too thin for the human body to function properly. Scientists have long debated why the Universe’s physical constants appear to be “fine-tuned” for life. Earlier theories mainly focused on stars, galaxies and the formation of heavy elements needed for planets. However, this research shifts attention to biology, suggesting that life may also depend on liquids maintaining very precise flow conditions inside cells. The study adds a new dimension to the long-running scientific debate about why the Universe appears suitable for life. Researchers say the idea remains theoretical, and there is still no widely accepted explanation for why nature’s constants have their current values.Still, scientists believe the findings could help reshape discussions about the connection between physics, biology and the origins of life in the Universe. Source: Science Daily

Increasing solar activity, marked by rising sunspot numbers, is causing space debris in low Earth orbit to lose altitude and fall back toward Earth more quickly, according to new research. The study, published on May 6 in Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences, found that satellites and debris in low Earth orbit are more rapidly pulled downward when the Sun reaches its active phase in its roughly 11-year cycle. Researchers say the finding could help improve space mission planning at a time when growing amounts of orbital debris are increasing the risk of collisions with operational satellites and spacecraft. The research team, led by astrophysicist Ayisha Ashruf from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, tracked 17 pieces of space debris over more than 30 years to study how solar activity affects their movement. They identified a clear threshold: when sunspot numbers reached about 70 percent of their peak, orbital decay began to increase significantly. Scientists have long suspected a link between solar activity and space debris movement, but this study is the first to clearly demonstrate the relationship over multiple solar cycles. The Sun’s activity rises and falls in an approximately 11-year cycle. At its peak, sunspots become more numerous and solar radiation intensifies. This heats and expands Earth’s upper atmosphere, known as the thermosphere, increasing atmospheric drag on objects in low orbit. Objects in low Earth orbit, located roughly 160 to 2,000 kilometres above Earth, are forced to move through this denser atmosphere, slowing them down and gradually lowering their altitude. The study found that during three consecutive solar cycles between 1986 and 2024, the tracked debris — orbiting at altitudes of around 600 to 800 kilometres — consistently dropped a few kilometres whenever solar activity crossed the identified threshold. Researchers also noted that the extent of orbital decay varied depending on the intensity of each solar cycle. The findings could help space agencies better predict orbital conditions and plan satellite launches to reduce collision risks, especially as space debris continues to accumulate around Earth. #From Sciencenews.org

Shiveluch, one of the most active volcanoes on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula and the northernmost active volcano in the region, continues to show near-daily volcanic activity, according to satellite observations. The volcano’s horseshoe-shaped caldera regularly exhibits signs of unrest, including thermal anomalies, hot avalanches, debris flows and ash deposits that frequently darken the surrounding snow-covered landscape. A Landsat 9 satellite image captured on April 23, 2026, showed fresh volcanic activity altering the late-spring snow cover. Scientists said a growing lava dome—formed by slow-moving, viscous lava—has been developing inside the caldera in recent months, based on reports from the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT). Lava domes typically build up gradually in rounded or spine-like formations, similar to toothpaste being squeezed from a tube. On Shiveluch, these domes undergo repeated cycles of growth and collapse, often triggering explosive ash emissions and fast-moving pyroclastic flows of hot ash and debris. Experts said these collapses generate so-called “block-and-ash flows”, which carry large rock fragments mixed with volcanic ash and soil. These flows can create thick deposits that retain heat for long periods, sometimes for months or even years, often melting surrounding snow during winter. Satellite data has also detected ongoing thermal activity within the caldera and along flow channels leading away from it. KVERT reported that an “explosive-extrusive eruption” was ongoing on the day of the satellite capture, accompanied by “powerful gas-steam activity”. The volcano’s recent behaviour follows a major eruption and flank collapse in April 2023, which sent pyroclastic flows dozens of kilometres down the slopes, destroying large forest areas and leaving extensive deposits still visible today. Experts say some of those deposits may still retain residual heat. Geologist Janine Krippner noted that similar deposits from past events remained warm years later, based on her fieldwork in the area. Shiveluch has repeatedly undergone cycles of collapse and rebuilding, making it one of the most dynamic volcanoes in the world, scientists said. #By NASA

Scientists have found new evidence that coffee may do more than boost energy, suggesting it can also influence gut bacteria and affect mood, stress levels and brain function. The research, carried out by APC Microbiome Ireland at University College Cork, is among the first to closely examine how coffee interacts with the “gut-brain axis”, the communication system linking the digestive system and the brain. The study was published in *Nature Communications* and supported by the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee. Researchers say both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee may help shape the gut microbiome and bring changes in emotional wellbeing.  Study looks at coffee, gut bacteria and mental health The study compared 31 regular coffee drinkers with 31 people who do not drink coffee. Participants underwent psychological tests, recorded diet and caffeine intake, and provided stool and urine samples so scientists could study changes in gut bacteria and mental state. Regular coffee drinkers were defined as people consuming around 3 to 5 cups a day, a level considered moderate and safe by European food safety guidelines. At the beginning of the experiment, coffee drinkers stopped consuming coffee for two weeks. During this period, researchers observed noticeable changes in gut microbial activity and related compounds, separating them from non-coffee drinkers. Mood improvements seen in both decaf and regular coffee After the break, coffee was gradually reintroduced without participants knowing whether they were drinking caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee. Both groups reported improved mood, including lower stress, reduced depression symptoms and less impulsive behaviour. Researchers say this suggests coffee may improve mood even without caffeine. Gut bacteria linked with coffee intake The study also found that certain gut bacteria were more common among coffee drinkers, including ‘Eggertella’ species and ‘Cryptobacterium curtum’. These bacteria are believed to play roles in digestion and protecting against harmful microbes. Higher levels of another group of bacteria, ‘Firmicutes’, were also observed, which earlier research has linked with positive emotional effects in women. Different effects of caffeine and decaf Interestingly, improvements in learning and memory were seen only in those who drank decaffeinated coffee. Researchers suggest that plant compounds like polyphenols, rather than caffeine, may be responsible for these cognitive benefits. Caffeinated coffee, however, showed different advantages. It was linked with reduced anxiety, better focus and increased alertness. It was also associated with lower signs of inflammation. Researchers say coffee interacts with gut and brain Lead researcher Professor John Cryan said growing interest in gut health is helping scientists better understand the connection between digestion and mental wellbeing, though the exact role of coffee had remained unclear until now. He said the findings show that coffee can influence gut microbes and the substances they produce, which may have wider health effects. “Coffee is more than just caffeine. It interacts with our gut microbes, metabolism and even emotional wellbeing,” he said, adding that both regular and decaf coffee may offer different but complementary benefits. Researchers say the findings could help guide future understanding of how diet, especially coffee, may support both digestive and mental health. Source: Science Daily

The Eta Aquarid meteor shower, created from debris of Halley’s Comet, is set to light up the night sky this week, but a bright moon is expected to make viewing more difficult. The meteor shower will reach its peak from Tuesday night into early Wednesday. While viewers in the Southern Hemisphere can usually see up to 50 meteors per hour at peak time, this year’s bright moon may reduce that number by about half. In the Northern Hemisphere, observers are likely to see fewer than 10 meteors per hour. Teri Gee, manager of the Barlow Planetarium in Wisconsin, said the display will be less impressive for those in the north, adding that people farther south will have a better chance of seeing more meteors. Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through trails of dust and debris left behind by comets or asteroids. As these particles enter the atmosphere at high speeds, they burn up and create bright streaks of light, commonly known as shooting stars. Although a few meteors can be seen on any clear night, meteor showers provide a more noticeable and predictable display each year. The Eta Aquarids are linked to Halley’s Comet, which orbits the sun and passes near Earth roughly every 76 years. It is expected to return again in 2061. Experts suggest heading outdoors just before dawn for the best chance to see the meteors. Choosing a dark location away from city lights and tall buildings can improve visibility. Finding a spot that blocks the bright waning gibbous moon, which will be about 84% full, may also help. Viewers are advised to bring blankets or chairs, avoid looking at phones and allow their eyes to adjust to the darkness. Looking toward the eastern sky near the Aquarius constellation can increase the chances of spotting meteors. Astrophysicist Nico Adams said the meteors often appear as quick flashes of light in the corner of the eye. Despite the reduced visibility this year, experts say watching a meteor shower in person remains a unique experience.  

A large-scale aerospace education hub has been launched in Beijing, offering children and teenagers an interactive experience of China’s space achievements and future exploration. The China (Beijing) Aerospace Science Center, situated within a park-style commercial complex in Changping District in the city’s northwest, aims to address the shortage of high-quality aerospace education facilities in the country, reported Science and Technology Daily. Spanning 3,700 square metres, the centre is designed for visitors aged between 6 and 16, blending real aerospace technology resources with engaging, interactive exhibits. Orion capsule from Artemis II mission returns to Florida After historic spaceflight The facility features six themed zones arranged along the timeline of human space exploration. A “time tunnel” showcases 100 key milestones, with emphasis on China’s comprehensive space development. Visitors can take part in a simulated rocket launch countdown, explore the internal structure of satellites step by step, and understand the engineering processes behind space missions. Among the highlights is a life-size replica of the core module of the Tiangong space station. A lunar experience zone enables visitors to wear simulated moon suits, operate a virtual lunar rover and observe a panoramic model of Martian weather. Digital simulation areas also allow virtual tours of the solar system. The centre further includes role-playing activities where children can act as aerospace engineers, a nearly 30-metre-long disassembled rocket on display, a holographic presentation of the full space station assembly, an interactive moon-base construction game, a life-size model of China’s first Mars rover Zhurong, and a virtual reality interstellar exploration experience. Four specialised aerospace laboratories equipped with decommissioned but authentic research instruments have also been set up for educational use. The centre’s content has been developed under the guidance of leading institutions, including the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory and the Beijing Institute of Space Science and Technology Information, ensuring scientific accuracy and rigor in all exhibits and activities.

On a hilltop tower south of Boston, Matthew Douglas climbs a narrow staircase each morning and steps onto the roof of the Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center. There, an old glass sphere mounted in a metal frame burns a thin line on a paper strip, recording how much sunshine the area received the previous day. It is part of a daily routine that has changed little for 141 years. At the observatory, one of the oldest continuously operating weather stations in the United States, staff still use traditional instruments to measure temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind and sunlight. These long-running records help scientists track weather patterns and study climate change. “My routine is the same every day,” said chief weather observer Douglas, who has worked there since 1997. “The only thing that changes are the numbers and the weather itself.” Blue Hill Observatory, located about 15 miles south of Boston, has kept continuous weather records since 1885. According to executive director Alex Evans, it remains the oldest site in the country still operating without interruption. Many of its tools are the same ones used more than a century ago, including mercury and alcohol thermometers, hair-based hygrometers to measure humidity, and the rooftop glass sphere that tracks sunshine hours. Douglas said keeping the same instruments in the same location for so long helps ensure accuracy. If changes appear in the data, they are more likely to reflect real climate shifts rather than differences in equipment. “That consistent record is very important for climate research,” he said. As climate science faces political debate in the United States, including funding cuts to federal weather agencies since 2025, Blue Hill’s privately run operation has largely continued unaffected. But officials say future funding is uncertain. Despite using older methods in a digital age, the observatory continues to play a role in both science and public education, helping people understand climate change through long-term data. Experts say such continuous records are rare and valuable. Meteorologist Chris Fiebrich of the University of Oklahoma said the dataset is especially important because it covers a period before modern satellites and automated systems existed. Blue Hill’s records show that average temperatures at the site have risen by about 5 degrees Fahrenheit since 1885. They also show that nearby ponds now stay frozen for nearly three weeks less than they used to. The data also reflects broader environmental changes. Since the 1990s, the observatory has recorded more hours of bright sunshine, partly linked to cleaner air following the US Clean Air Act, which reduced air pollution over time. Public understanding of climate change remains divided. A 2023 Pew Research Center survey found that a significant share of Americans have doubts about scientists’ understanding of climate change. Former US President Donald Trump has also publicly dismissed climate change as false, calling it “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world” in a speech last year. Against this backdrop, experts say places like Blue Hill help make science more accessible. At the observatory’s round, castle-like tower, observers Douglas and Amanda Joly work alongside computers and shelves filled with handwritten charts, old sun records and decades of weather data. Inside, visitors can see historic instruments still in use or on display, including mercury barometers that measure air pressure. The readings from these devices are where the term “inches of mercury” comes from. Another popular exhibit is the Campbell-Stokes sunshine recorder, a glass sphere that focuses sunlight onto a paper card, burning a line to show how many hours of bright sunshine occurred in a day. For visitors, seeing the instruments in action helps demystify the science. “If people see it while it’s being explained, it becomes less intimidating,” said chief scientist Michael Iacono. Local residents often visit the observatory, which sits along a winding forest road. Many describe it as both scenic and educational. Annie Hayes, who visited with her family, said watching how data is collected builds trust in climate science. “It feels less like a mystery when you can actually see how it works,” she said. The observatory also runs outreach programs, including a citizen science initiative that allows residents to collect rainfall data at home and contribute to a shared database. Hayes said her family plans to join the program. “It’s a great way to get kids involved and interested,” she said. “Maybe it will even inspire them in the future.”

The spacecraft that carried four astronauts around the moon has returned to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida nearly a month after completing humanity’s first lunar voyage in over half a century. Following splashdown in the Pacific on April 10, the Orion capsule was transported by truck from San Diego to Cape Canaveral. Engineers will inspect its heat shield and systems ahead of next year’s Artemis III docking demonstration in Earth orbit. Artemis II mission takes humans farther than ever in historic Moon journey Electronic systems will be removed and recycled along with onboard research equipment. Named Integrity by its U.S.-Canadian crew, the capsule carried astronauts farther into space than any humans have traveled before. NASA said the nearly 10-day mission performed well aside from a malfunctioning toilet. Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen have completed medical checks and post-flight tests and are now resting. Posting on X, Wiseman said he had been waiting to reflect after the mission, describing a rare sense of peace on a beach. Until Artemis II, no humans had flown to Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972; Artemis III will use a new capsule and crew orbital docking SpaceX Blue Origin landers 2028 landing.

A giant octopus resembling a mythical kraken may have been one of the top ocean predators during the age of dinosaurs around 100 million years ago, according to new research based on fossil evidence. Scientists reanalysing fossilised jaws suggest that these ancient octopuses had eight arms and elongated bodies that could grow between 23 and 62 feet (7 to 19 metres), potentially rivaling large marine reptiles such as sharks, mosasaurs and plesiosaurs that dominated the Late Cretaceous seas. “These krakens must have been a fearsome sight to behold,” said University of Alabama paleontologist Adiel Klompmaker, who was not involved in the study. Chile telescope captures stunning new view of Sombrero galaxy Researchers examined 15 fossilised octopus jaws discovered in Japan and Canada’s Vancouver Island, and identified 12 additional specimens in Japan using a method called digital fossil mining, which scans rock layers in detail to detect hidden fossils. The findings, published Thursday in the journal Science, showed that the largest jaws were bigger than those of any modern octopus. Co-author Yasuhiro Iba of Hokkaido University noted that wear marks such as scratches and chips indicated these creatures repeatedly crushed hard prey like shells and bones. Scientists believe the octopuses likely used their flexible arms to capture prey such as fish and snails, breaking them apart with their strong beaks made of chitin. However, without preserved stomach contents, their exact diet and ecological role remain uncertain. Paleontologist Neil Landman of the American Museum of Natural History, who was not involved in the study, said further fossil discoveries worldwide are needed to better understand ancient marine ecosystems. “It’s a big old planet,” he said, noting that much remains to be learned about prehistoric ocean life.