Astronaut Bruce McCandless II, one of two STS-41B mission specialists participating in a historic spacewalk, is a few meters away from the cabin of the Earth-orbiting space shuttle Challenger in this 70mm frame on Feb. 7, 1984. This @science spacewalk represented the first use of a nitrogen-propelled, hand-controlled device called the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU), which allows for much greater mobility than that afforded previous spacewalkers who had to use restrictive tethers. Robert L. Stewart later tried out the MMU McCandless is using here, and the two of them tested another similar unit two days later. Inside the spacecraft were astronauts Vance D. Brand, commander; Robert L. Gibson, pilot; and Ronald E. McNair, mission specialist.
Image Credit: NASA

Ideogram, a cutting-edge image generation model developed by former Google engineers, has officially exited its beta phase! Renowned for its exceptional ability to understand prompts and generate images with text, Ideogram sets a new standard in accuracy, rarely producing any errors in the text it includes.
Users can enjoy 25 free generations per day, providing ample opportunity to experiment with various fonts. While there is a moderation system in place, it is minimally intrusive, filtering out only the most explicit of requests.
Explore the capabilities of Ideogram and unleash your creativity!
@science

🌌 Exciting Update from the Moon: Japan’s SLIM Mission 🌕

In an astonishing turn of events, the Japanese spacecraft SLIM, which had capsized upon landing, has “awoken” nearly a month later in hibernation mode. Despite the harrowing cold of the lunar night, reaching temperatures as low as -130°C, the resilient explorer has not only survived but has also managed to send back new images and is even collecting some scientific data.

Stay tuned for more updates with @science 🚀🌖

Fish That Shouts Louder Than a Gunshot

German ichthyologists have made a fascinating discovery involving the Danionella cerebrum species of fish. Remarkably, these fish can produce sounds exceeding 140 decibels, louder than the noise of a gunshot. What makes this even more astonishing is the size of these creatures; they are tiny, semi-transparent fish with body lengths not exceeding 12 millimeters.

The Danionella species are equipped with a unique sound-producing apparatus comprising a drumming cartilage, a specialized rib, and a fatigue-resistant muscle. This mechanism accelerates the drumming cartilage with a force of over 2000 g, striking the swim bladder to create a rapid and loud pulse. These pulses amalgamate to generate loud signals.

Scientists believe that this deafening noise serves a vital communication function for the fish in the murky rivers of Southeast Asia, where they reside. This discovery not only adds to our understanding of aquatic life but also highlights the extraordinary adaptations of even the smallest creatures in nature.

@science

Innovative Jellyfish Modification by Caltech Researchers Opens New Avenues for Ocean Exploration

A professor and a graduate student at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have embarked on a groundbreaking project to explore the ocean in an unconventional way. Unlike typical genetic modifications, their approach is purely engineering-based. They've designed a bumper, resembling a cap, that significantly enhances the jellyfish's hydrodynamic properties. This innovation follows their previous success in implanting a device akin to a pacemaker, which encourages the animal to swim faster. Combined, these modifications enable the jellyfish to swim at speeds up to 4.5 times faster than their unaltered counterparts.

The primary goal of these biohybrid robotic jellyfish is to gather critical data on the ocean's chemical composition, temperature, oxygen levels, and more. The sensors required for these measurements are conveniently housed within the 3D-printed conical structure attached to the jellyfish. Remarkably, each modified jellyfish costs about $20, presenting a cost-effective alternative to the exorbitant daily expenses of over $50,000 associated with chartering a research vessel.

The researchers emphasize the ethical aspect of their work, noting that jellyfish lack a brain and the capacity to experience pain. Therefore, these laboratory modifications do not inflict suffering on the animals. This innovative approach not only paves the way for more efficient and humane oceanic research but also demonstrates the potential of biohybrid systems in environmental monitoring.

Stay tuned for more updates on this fascinating intersection of biology and engineering as we continue to explore the mysteries of the ocean in sustainable and innovative ways. @science

On February 17th, a plasma jet erupted near the Sun's south pole, reaching an altitude of 200,000 kilometers before detaching and drifting into space. This massive plasma cloud is now slowly dissipating as it travels through the cosmos. Unlike most solar flares that occur near the equator, the unusual location of this flare signals the Sun's approach to the most active phase of its 11-year cycle, known as the solar maximum.
📷 Eduardo Schaberger Poupeau for @science

Explore one of the world’s most complex interchanges: the Huangjuewan in Chongqing, China.
With 15 exits and 20 lanes weaving through four directions across five levels, navigating this marvel without a GPS is a true nightmare.
#engineering
@science

Telegram’s valuation has soared to an impressive $30 billion, underscoring its robust growth and increasing prominence in the digital communication sphere. In tandem with this remarkable valuation, the demand and prices for premium Telegram usernames have surged, highlighting their significant investment potential.

For those looking to capitalize on this opportunity, consider exploring the unique username currently available at auction

Researchers have demonstrated that brain stimulation at a 40 Hz frequency can protect brain tissue from the harmful effects of chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin and methotrexate. This treatment, involving light and sound exposure, not only protected brain tissue but also helped prevent memory loss and cognitive function decline in animal models. Remarkably, the positive effects of the 40 Hz frequency persisted for four months, emphasizing its potential in shielding patients from the toxic side effects of cancer treatments. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness in humans. For more detailed information, please visit https://news.mit.edu/2024/noninvasive-treatment-chemo-brain-0306

ChatGPT now has a body — the startup Figure, together with OpenAI, developed the robot Figure 01.

The "sensory and communication organs" (hearing, speech, vision) are entirely handled by OpenAI's neural networks, while Figure developed a lightweight and agile framework.

In just a couple of years, one might be able to buy one for their home.

@science


Ps please share this post

SpaceX’s third test flight of Starship ended unexpectedly when it lost communication 48 minutes in, at 75 km altitude. Initially aiming for a descent into the Indian Ocean, the spacecraft likely disintegrated around 65 km. Despite the setback, the flight provided captivating visuals of atmospheric entry, showcasing plasma formation around the spacecraft. The incident offers valuable insights for future missions.

@science