Earth’s magnetic north pole is moving

Welcome to this edition of Over a Cup of Coffee!

Thank you for reading this newsletter diligently every week.

The newsletter now supports comments and likes. If you like something or want to add something to the story, just click to contribute.

We would love to hear your thoughts.

Before, we head to the newsletter, a word from this week’s sponsors.

Seeking impartial news? Meet 1440.

Every day, 3.5 million readers turn to 1440 for their factual news. We sift through 100+ sources to bring you a complete summary of politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a brief 5-minute email. Enjoy an impartial news experience.

Join for free today!

Earth’s magnetic north pole is moving

The Earth's magnetic field is constantly in flux. The scientists have officially declared the change in position of magnetic north pole. The magnetic field is shifting away from Canada towards Siberia.

The World Magnetic Model (WMM) has been made by experts from US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the British Geological Survey (BGS). It was observed that the geographical North Pole is stationary, while the magnetic North Pole is constantly shifting due to the dynamic nature of the Earth's molten iron core.

The Earth's inner workings, specifically the swirling molten iron and nickel in the outer core, generate and maintain the magnetic field. As this fluid motion changes, so does the orientation of the magnetic field lines. This dynamic nature means the points where the magnetic field lines converge (the magnetic poles) are not fixed. They wander and shift over time.

Research suggests that two massive magnetic lobes, one beneath Canada and another under Siberia, play a crucial role in the pole's movement. These lobes are generated by the flow of molten iron and nickel in the Earth's outer core. The recent release of the updated WMM provides a more precise map of the magnetic north pole's current location and predicted trajectory.

The shifting magnetic north pole has significant implications for navigation systems used in aviation, shipping, and other sectors. Accurate positioning is crucial for safety and efficiency. Many technologies, including GPS systems and compasses, rely on the WMM for accurate functioning. Regular updates are essential to maintain their reliability.

The insights were published in Smithsonian Magazine.

EU reached milestone in clean energy transition

The industrialisation in Europe was powered by coal, which pumped out more planet-heating pollution than any other source. In 2003, the coal burning in EU power sector was at peak. But after that it declined by 68%. Simultaneously on the brighter side, the clean energy sources were blooming up.

As per the data, in 2024, wind and solar energy rose to 29% of EU electricity generation. While hydropower and nuclear energy continued to rebound. The solar panels generated 11% of the EU’s electricity in 2024. Whereas the coal-burning power plants generated 10% energy. The role of fossil gas fell for the fifth year in a row to cover 16% of the electricity mix.

The coal is used in 17 countries, in 16 of them the share of coal fell down. The report said the fuel has become “marginal or absent” in most systems. Germany and Poland burn most of EU’s coal. But these were also among the countries where the shift was towards clean energy source. The coal share in Germany’s electricity grid fell 17% year-on-year, while in Poland it dropped 8%.

The report indicates that the EU is on track to achieve its 2025 target of 400 gigawatts (GW) of installed solar capacity. This demonstrates a strong commitment to renewable energy and a successful implementation of policies aimed at increasing solar power generation. The EU achieved a substantial increase in solar capacity in 2024, reaching 338 GW.

If the current pace of solar power growth is maintained, the EU could achieve its ambitious 2030 target of 750 GW. This indicates a promising trajectory for the EU to further increase its reliance on renewable energy sources and reduce its carbon footprint.

The findings were published in Ember.

Looking to kickstart the new year with better sleep?

Cornbread Hemp has you covered with their all-natural, melatonin-free sleep support. Their gummies are crafted with USDA organic ingredients like full-spectrum hemp extract, valerian root, lavender, and chamomile, ensuring you avoid the groggy hangover often associated with melatonin. Vegan and guilt-free, they seamlessly fit into your bedtime routine, helping you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Embrace the new year with calm and restful nights, knowing sweet dreams are just a gummy away.

Plus, Cornbread is giving Over a Cup of Coffee readers 30% off your first order when you use code RESOLUTION at checkout.*

Order now and get the sleep you deserve

*One-time purchases only, cannot be combined with subscription discounts.

Dear readers,

Coffee Table Science is run by a small team of science enthusiasts who are passionate about sharing interesting science.

We DO NOT make any profits from this newsletter or our Instagram page. But there are costs to running this project. Sending this newsletter costs us $40 a month.

If you enjoy reading this newsletter, consider supporting it and keeping the light bulb on.

Astronomers pinpoint FRBs outside dead galaxy

The astronomers have found the location of a FRB (Fast Radio Burst) outside a dead galaxy. This discovery highlights the ongoing quest to understand the universe's most powerful and enigmatic phenomena. It underscores the importance of continued observation and research to unravel the mysteries of the cosmos.

FRBs are incredibly powerful bursts of radio waves that last only a few milliseconds. Their origin has been a major mystery for astronomers. Some FRBs repeat, while others are one-time events. Before this discovery, their origin was thought to be out of star-forming galaxy.

The Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment Fast Radio Burst (CHIME/FRB) collaboration has made this breakthrough. The CHIME/FRB collaboration located FRB 20240209A, a repeating FRB, outside a dead galaxy. This is unprecedented, as most FRBs are associated with active star-forming regions within galaxies.

This finding challenges the prevailing theories about the origins of FRBs, which often link them to young, active galaxies. Researchers suggest that the FRB might have originated from a cluster of old, dead stars orbiting the dead galaxy. This opens up new avenues for research into the potential sources of these mysterious signals.

The insights were published in journal Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Actual cause of sunburn identified

Sunburn is a common and painful experience caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. It was widely believed that UV radiation from the sun primarily damages DNA in skin cells, leading to inflammation and cell death. A recent study suggests that RNA damage, specifically to messenger RNA (mRNA), is the initial trigger for the sunburn response.

While DNA damage is certainly a concern, especially in the long term, recent research suggests that RNA damage, specifically to messenger RNA (mRNA), is the initial trigger for the sunburn response. When UV radiation damages RNA, it triggers a cellular response known as the "ribotoxic stress response."

A protein called ZAK-alpha plays a crucial role in detecting RNA damage caused by UV radiation. This protein then initiates the cellular response. This response involves inflammation and cell death, which are the hallmarks of sunburn.

This new understanding challenges the traditional view of sunburn and highlights the importance of RNA in cellular responses to environmental stressors. The findings have potential implications for the development of new treatments for sunburn and other inflammatory skin conditions. By understanding the role of RNA damage in these conditions, scientists may be able to develop more targeted and effective therapies.

The study was published in the journal Molecular Cell.

Drop your comments by clicking on the newsletter!

If you like this newsletter, you will also like Breefx, which carries interesting facts and insights about the world around us. Sign up today to get their next issue directly in your inbox.

Thanks for reading.
Until next time,
Adya