Earth’s Rotation Speeds Up as “De-Extinction” Project Sparks Debate
Plus: Deadly floods, shifting poles, and a cosmic owl spotted by **JWST**
Our planet is spinning faster, making days milliseconds shorter due to lunar positioning, even as deadly floods devastate communities and scientists debate “de-extinction.” Here’s a look at some of the top science news this week.
Shorter Days Ahead?
Changes in the moon’s position relative to Earth’s poles are causing a slight increase in the planet’s rotation speed. The moon will be at its farthest distance from Earth’s equator on July 9, July 22, and August 5, which alters its gravitational pull. Days could be shorter by approximately 1.5 milliseconds.
Devastating Floods
While the subtle change in day length may go unnoticed, the catastrophic flash floods in Texas, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Illinois are impossible to ignore. These floods have tragically resulted in at least 130 fatalities.
Moa ‘De-Extinction’ Project
Following claims of reviving dire wolves, Colossal Biosciences is now aiming to resurrect the giant moa (Dinornis robustus), a flightless bird from New Zealand that vanished around 600 years ago due to human hunting.
Colossal Biosciences argues that “resurrecting”
the giant moa could have positive impacts on currently endangered species. This announcement has stirred controversy within the scientific community.
Discovery of New Blood Type
In another development, after thorough analysis, scientists have identified a new blood group, known as Gwada negative. This unique blood type has only been found in a single individual worldwide.
Earth’s Poles on the Move
The construction of thousands of dams worldwide has led to a redistribution of mass on Earth. Researchers have discovered that this redistribution has caused a shift in the position of Earth’s crust relative to its mantle, influencing the location of the planet’s poles.
Other Science News Highlights
- Massive blocks from the Lighthouse of Alexandria have been recovered from the Mediterranean.
- Scientists created robotic skin that can
“feel everything”
and subjected it to burns, pokes, and slices. - Burmese pythons possess never-before-seen cells aiding in the digestion of entire skeletons.
- Facial reconstructions of
“hobbit,”
Neanderthal, and Homo erectus bring human relatives to life.
The Danger of Hyponatremia
As temperatures rise, community health workers in parts of India have reported a surge in hyponatremia cases. Untreated, this condition, where sodium levels fall dangerously low, can lead to severe complications and even death. Experts warn that global warming may significantly increase hyponatremia incidents.
Weekend Reads
- An 8-year-old with a rare, fatal disease is showing significant improvement with experimental treatment.
- Explore the bias in STEM publishing that still punishes women.
- Learn what dwarf planets are and how many exist.
Cosmic “Owl” Spotted
The **James Webb Space Telescope** (**JWST**) has captured an image of a peculiar owl-shaped formation located 11 billion light-years away. It is believed that this unique shape resulted from an extraordinary collision between two rare ring galaxies. Just last month, the European Space Agency posted stunning images of the Horsehead Nebula captured by the **JWST**, showcasing unprecedented detail (ESA April 2024).
