Here are today’s most important updates from the realm of Science and Space.
Astronomers have discovered a potential new dwarf planet in the outer reaches of our solar system, far beyond Pluto. This object, named 2017 OF201, is estimated to be approximately 700 kilometres (435 miles) in diameter, which could qualify it as a dwarf planet. Its extreme orbit takes around 25,000 years to complete, with its closest point being 44.5 times the Earth's distance from the Sun and its farthest point being over 1,600 times the Earth's distance. The lead author predicted that, it’s possible that this object was first ejected to the Oort Cloud, the most distant region in our solar system, which is home to many comets, and then sent back.
For the first time ever, scientists have built a container capable of transporting antimatter out of the laboratory. The unique feat was achieved by a team of researchers at CERN earlier this month and could help speed up the study of antimatter, essential to understanding how the universe works. The observable universe is made up of matter. However, for every type of matter particle, there exists an antimatter version that is exactly the same except that it has the opposite electrical charge. For example, while protons have a positive charge, antiprotons have a negative charge. In 1999, NASA scientists estimated that the price of antimatter was $62.5 trillion, or $1.75 quadrillion an ounce, based on the energy involved and the estimated production capacity. Notably, antimatter requires special conditions and a containment device to be transported as it disappears upon contact with regular matter, even dust particles. For the container, scientists used magnetic traps to isolate antimatter, which requires substantial electricity and a controlled environment.
A new study has found that sleeping only about four hours per night for three consecutive nights can cause changes in the blood that are associated with an increased risk of heart disease. The study revealed that sleep deprivation related inflammatory proteins in the blood are produced by the body when it is under stress or fighting illness. When these proteins remain elevated over a long period, they can damage blood vessels and increase the likelihood of heart problems such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, and irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation). The findings suggest that even short-term sleep deprivation can have serious health implications, emphasising the importance of adequate sleep for maintaining heart health.
As per recent study, individuals who have higher levels of certain acids on their skin are 100 times more attractive to the female Aedes aegypti, responsible for the spread of diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika. It remains unclear why mosquitoes are particularly attracted to this chemical, but a person's unique skin climate is believed to play a major role. Since mosquito-borne diseases impact about 700 million people per year, the study could provide insights into what skin odorants are most important to the mosquito and subsequently help in developing more effective repellents.
