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Welcome to this edition of Over a Cup of Coffee!

In this newsletter

• Iceberg Break Reveals Hidden Antarctic Ecosystem

• Risk of lunar asteroid impact hiked 

• Vanguard 1 recovery eyed after 67 years

• Runners' bodies consume their own brains

Iceberg Break Reveals Hidden Antarctic Ecosystem

A vibrant, long-established ecosystem, featuring large sponges and anemones, has been discovered nearly 230 meters beneath the recently collapsed George VI Ice Shelf in Antarctica. 

The size of the slow-growing sponges indicates this community has thrived for decades, possibly centuries. The researchers documented a diverse and vibrant community of animals, such as corals, icefish, giant sea spiders, and octopuses, flourishing in this ecosystem. The study revealed the discovery of many creatures:

Octopus: 1150m depth, Bellingshausen Sea.

Hydroid: 380m depth, George VI Ice Shelf area.

Deep-sea coral: 1200m depth, George VI Ice Shelf area.

Phantom jelly: Deep gullies, Bellingshausen Sea.

Brittle stars: 215m depth, Ronne Entrance/Bellingshausen Sea.

King crabs: Deep gullies, Bellingshausen Sea.

Squid eating fish: 950m depth, Bellingshausen Sea gullies.

Helmet jellyfish: Bellingshausen Sea gullies.

Krill swarm ROV lights: Ronne Entrance/Bellingshausen Sea.

Sponges on seabed: George VI Ice Shelf area

By examining the recently revealed Antarctic seafloor, scientists were able to collect essential data regarding the ice sheet's past. This ice sheet's shrinkage and mass loss over the last few decades is a consequence of climate change. 

This discovery significantly expands our understanding of the complex ecosystems that thrive in the previously unknown environments beneath Antarctic ice shelves, opening new avenues for research into polar marine biology.

The findings were published in USA Today.

Risk of lunar asteroid impact hiked 

While Earth impact is nearly impossible, the large asteroid 2024 YR4 now has a slightly increased chance of hitting the Moon. Analysis of data, including that from the James Webb Space Telescope, shows that as of December 22, 2032, Moon impact probability has more than doubled, now standing at 3.8%, up from 1.7%.  As per NASA, the Moon's orbit would remain stable despite any potential impact.

Infrared data from the Webb telescope refined the asteroid's size estimate to 53-67 meters, roughly equivalent to a 10-story building. From the time 2024 YR4 was first observed in Chile in December, many other objects have flown closer to Earth than the Moon. It's reasonable to assume that numerous smaller, undetected objects have either impacted Earth or been destroyed in our atmosphere.

Past asteroid and comet collisions have left the Moon's surface scarred with craters. Though a fresh impact is very unlikely, it would present a valuable chance to observe and study a live collision and the Moon's response. 

The insights were published in BBC.

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Vanguard 1 recovery eyed after 67 years

The launch of Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, during the intense Cold War space race between the US and the USSR, was a global watershed moment. The Sputnik launch alarmed the U.S., followed by a humiliating Vanguard rocket failure. With the Army's launch of Explorer 1 in January 1958, the U.S. experienced a much-needed victory, and though not without its challenges, Vanguard 1 ultimately reached orbit in March 1958.

Vanguard-1's orbital tracking provided vital early evidence supporting the finding and calculation of Earth's oblateness, its slightly pear-shaped form. Currently, Vanguard 1 follows an elliptical path, ranging from the closest point of about 410 miles (660 km) to a farthest point of roughly 2,375 miles (3,822 km) from Earth at a 34.25-degree angle. 

Vanguard 1 was characterized as a Space Age time capsule by the study group, who clarified that their recovery concept was their own and not endorsed by Booz Allen Hamilton, a leading technology company specializing in critical defense and national security matters. 

The findings were published on Space.com 

Runners' bodies consume their own brains

The substantial energy expenditure of a marathon intrigued neuroscientist and experienced runner Carlos Matute (18 marathons completed). He sought to understand how runners fuel their bodies over such distances. To begin addressing this question, researchers looked at myelin, a fatty substance surrounding nerve cells, suggesting it might be temporarily reduced in runners' brains. 

Comprising roughly 40% of the brain, myelin facilitates electrical signal transmission. Brain scans of 10 marathon runners revealed a decrease in myelin in areas related to motor skills, sensory input, and emotional responses, according to Matute and his colleagues. 

These myelin changes were transient and offered reassurance to runners. However Matute's research suggests a potential avenue for understanding degenerative conditions like multiple sclerosis, characterized by persistent myelin loss.

The insights were published in the journal Nature Metabolism.

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Thanks for reading.
Until next time,
Adya