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Their evolutionary precursors are thought to be hard structures called odontodes which first appeared not in mouths but on the external armour of the earliest fish around 500 million years ago.

Teeth evolved from sensory organs in ancient fish, not for chewing.

Odontodes, the precursors to teeth, appeared on fish armor 500 million years ago

Modern fish exhibit nerve sensitivity in external tooth tissues, confirming find

Ever wondered why our teeth are so sensitive to pain or even just cold drinks? It might be because they first evolved for a very different purpose than chewing half a billion years ago, a study suggested Wednesday.

The exact origin of teeth — and what they were for — has long proved elusive to scientists.

Their evolutionary precursors are thought to be hard structures called odontodes which first appeared not in mouths but on the external armour of the earliest fish around 500 million years ago.

Even today, sharks, stingrays and catfish are covered in microscopic teeth that make their skin rough like sandpaper.

There are several theories for why these odontodes first appeared, including that they protected against predators, helped with movement through the water or stored minerals.

But the new study published in the journal Nature supports the hypothesis that they were originally used as sensory organs which transmitted sensations to nerves.

Chinese scientists discovered a new bacteria species on Tiangong Space Station.

The microbe, named Niallia tiangongensis, was found during Shenzhou 15 mission.

It is an aerobic, spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium with unique adaptations.

Chinese scientists have discovered a new species of bacteria on board the Tiangong Space Station. According to a paper published in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, the new microbe strain, officially named Niallia tiangongensis, was found in microbial samples collected from the surfaces of the Tiangong during the Shenzhou 15 crewed mission, which returned to Earth in June 2023. The new microbe has been described as an aerobic, spore-forming and rod-shaped bacterium. It is the first time a new species has been discovered aboard Tiangong, a three-module space station in low Earth orbit.

According to the paper, the novel strain closely resembles Niallia circulans found on Earth, but it also exhibits several mutations that could prove beneficial in the study of life as it moves out into space. “Understanding the characteristics of microbes during long-term space missions is essential for safeguarding the health of astronauts and maintaining the functionality of spacecraft,” the paper states, as per Science Alert. 

The largest sample of galaxy groups ever detected has been presented by a team of international astronomers using data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) in an area of the sky called COSMOS Web.

The study marks a major milestone in extragalactic astronomy, providing unprecedented insights into the formation and evolution of galaxies and the large-scale structure of the universe.

Peering back in time to when the universe was younger than the Earth is now, the images span the period from around twelve billion years ago until one billion years ago.

The new catalogue of images, soon to be published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics (A&A), includes nearly 1,700 galaxy groups.The largest sample of galaxy groups ever detected has been presented by a team of international astronomers using data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) in an area of the sky called COSMOS Web.

The study marks a major milestone in extragalactic astronomy, providing unprecedented insights into the formation and evolution of galaxies and the large-scale structure of the universe.

Peering back in time to when the universe was younger than the Earth is now, the images span the period from around twelve billion years ago until one billion years ago.

The new catalogue of images, soon to be published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics (A&A), includes nearly 1,700 galaxy groups.

Research reveals Jupiter was larger with a stronger magnetic field early on.

Jupiter’s primordial size was about twice its current radius, say researchers.

Clues from 4.5 billion years ago help reconstruct Jupiter’s early state.

The information of Jupiter’s early evolution sheds light on the solar system’s formation and structure. As the solar system’s gravitational ‘architect’, Jupiter’s influence was instrumental in shaping the orbits of other planets and defining the gas and dust disc from which they emerged.

Astronomy, Konstantin Batygin (PhD ’12), professor of planetary science at Caltech; and Fred C. Adams, professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Michigan; provide a detailed look into Jupiter’s primordial state. Their calculations reveal that roughly 3.8 million years after the solar system’s first solids formed-a key moment when the disk of material around the Sun, known as the protoplanetary nebula, was dissipating-Jupiter was significantly larger and had an even more powerful magnetic field.

“Our ultimate goal is to understand where we come from, and pinning down the early phases of planet formation is essential to solving the puzzle,” Batygin says. “This brings us closer to understanding how not only Jupiter but the entire solar system took shape.”

Batygin and Adams approached this question by studying Jupiter’s tiny moons Amalthea and Thebe, which orbit even closer to Jupiter than Io, the smallest and nearest of the planet’s four large Galilean moons. Because Amalthea and Thebe have slightly tilted orbits, Batygin and Adams analyzed these small orbital discrepancies to calculate Jupiter’s original size: approximately twice its current radius, with a predicted volume that is the equivalent of over 2,000 Earths. The researchers also determined that Jupiter’s magnetic field at that time was approximately 50 times stronger than it is today.

Adams highlights the remarkable imprint the past has left on today’s solar system: “It’s astonishing that even after 4.5 billion years, enough clues remain to let us reconstruct Jupiter’s physical state at the dawn of its existence.”

A large asteroid, 2003 MH4, is approaching Earth this Saturday.

It measures 335 meters wide and travels at 30,060 km/h.

It is classified as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA).

A gigantic asteroid, roughly the height of the Eiffel Tower, is heading towards Earth for what astronomers are calling a “close approach”. According to NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the object, named 387746 (2003 MH4), spans 335 metres wide (approximately 1,100 feet). It will fly past our planet on May 24, Saturday, at 4:07 pm IST (10:37 UTC). The asteroid is currently travelling at a speed of 30,060 kilometres per hour. Although it won’t strike us, the gigantic asteroid has raised an eyebrow among scientists.

Asteroid 2003 MH4 is from the Apollo family of asteroids, which are known to cross Earth’s orbital path. Due to its orbit and proximity, it is classified as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA). Notably, PHAs are objects bigger than 140 metres and approach Earth within 7.5 million kilometres. 

According to NASA JPL, the asteroid will come within 6.68 million kilometres of Earth. While this may sound a long way off, in terms of space, it’s close enough to be of concern.

“This weekend’s sighting is a warning, not a threat,” noted NASA’s Centre for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), the body tasked with tracking thousands of space rocks that could pose risks.

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To put things in perspective, despite its considerable distance, asteroid 2003 MH4 is classified as a near-Earth object (NEO), which requires careful monitoring. NASA’s continuous tracking efforts ensure that we stay informed about any potential space threats.

NASA’s Commitment to Monitoring Near-Earth Objects

NASA, in collaboration with various space agencies, uses a sophisticated network of telescopes and advanced computing systems to keep track of near-Earth objects. While most of these NEOs remain at a safe distance from Earth, those that come within 7.5 million kilometres and are over 460 feet (140 meters) in size receive increased attention. 

The Centre for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) at NASA is dedicated to closely monitoring these space rocks, assessing any risks they might pose. This vigilant observation is crucial for understanding and preparing for any potential cosmic hazards that could affect our planet.

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