☕️ NASA Solar Sail Spacecraft Damaged, Spinning Through Space.

Good morning. Happy Halloween! Trick or treat? Well my trick is it’s also international dark matter day and my treat is at the bottom of today’s Brew…

At the bottoms of today’s brew, you’ll see a new way to earn cool Brew swag like a tote bag and stickers for free! Share Science Brew with your friends, aquire free Brew swag, and then aquire more friends as a result of your fresh Brew swag. We're saying we'll give you free stuff and more friends if you share a link. One link.

—Dylan J. Dance

SCIENCE

🛰️ NASA Solar Sail Spacecraft Damaged, Spinning Through Space. NASA's Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3) has faced a significant challenge after its deployment. The solar sail is still spinning uncontrollably, and the attitude control system has yet to be reengaged. Despite a slight bend in one of the booms during deployment, NASA stated that the data collected is highly valuable and will continue to contribute to future solar sail missions.

🪼 Study finds comb jellies can reverse age. A new article published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals the unprecedented ability for reverse development in a ctenophore, also called comb jelly. The findings suggest that life cycle plasticity in animals might be more common than previously thought.

🍺 Professor calculates optimal glass shape for preserving chill in beer glasses. A Brazilian professor has calculated the optimal glass shape to keep beer cold for as long as possible. Claudio Pellegrini found that the best shape for preserving chill is one that narrows at the bottom and widens toward the top, such as the popular pilsner glass. He emphasizes that shape alone plays a crucial role in reducing heat transfer, keeping beer colder for longer.

🦠 Researchers flip genes on and off with AI-designed DNA switches. Scientists have successfully reactivated viruses from 50,000-year-old permafrost, showing their ability to infect modern-day amoebae. The study aims to understand the resilience of ancient viruses and their role in understanding viral evolution. Researchers argue that studying these viruses could provide insights into combating today's emerging diseases.

🎥 First-Ever Video of Ovulation Captured. For the first time, researchers have captured real-time video of ovulation occurring in the human body. The footage, taken via advanced imaging techniques, shows the exact moment when an egg is released from the ovary. "This breakthrough in imaging helps us understand a crucial biological process that was previously a mystery," said Dr. Jane Foster, lead researcher of the project.

TECH

🔗 25 km quantum network link between Dutch cities represents a key advance. Researchers have successfully established a 25-kilometer quantum network connecting cities in the Netherlands, a key milestone in secure communication technology. The network uses entangled photons to transfer information securely, offering unprecedented resistance to hacking. "This is a step toward a quantum internet, which will change the way we communicate globally," explained the research lead.

📱 New AI App Uses Only a Smartphones for Motion Capture. A new app has been developed that can perform motion capture using only a smartphone—no suits or specialized equipment required. The app leverages advanced AI to analyze body movement and can be used for fitness, gaming, and film. "This technology brings motion capture to the masses," said the CEO of the developing company.

🚀 Chinese Startup Offers Trips to Edge of Space for an Absolute Bargain, Sells Out in Minutes. Chinese space startup Deep Blue Aerospace has offered tickets for a 12-minute journey to the edge of space at a significantly lower price compared to competitors. The tickets were priced at $210,000 each and sold out in just 20 minutes. Despite the excitement, the company is still in early stages of testing its launch vehicle, with more trials planned before human passengers can board in 2027.

MEDICAL

👶 Maternal Skin Disorders Linked to Childhood Development. A longitudinal study has revealed connections between a common skin disorder experienced by mothers and developmental delays in children. Researchers found that babies born to mothers with atopic dermatitis were more likely to exhibit slower developmental milestones, suggesting the role of maternal health in child development is more profound than previously thought.

☠️ Low-level lead poisoning accounts for cognitive deficits in children, risk factors for heart conditions. New research links cognitive deficits in children to low-level lead poisoning. The study tracked children exposed to lead through contaminated water and found significant associations with reduced IQ scores and behavior issues. "Even minimal lead exposure can have long-lasting impacts on brain development," researchers warned.

🩸 Men and women process pain differently, study finds. A recent study has uncovered new blood biomarkers that could help diagnose and manage chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Researchers identified distinct metabolic patterns in blood samples from CFS patients, offering a potential path to earlier and more accurate diagnosis of this often misunderstood condition.

WORLD

☢️ General in Charge of Nuclear Weapons Says Heck, Let's Add Some AI. Air Force General Anthony Cotton, in charge of the United States nuclear arsenal, has suggested adding AI to the decision-making process of nuclear operations, albeit with a human remaining in the loop. Cotton emphasized that AI would enhance decision-making but not directly make launch decisions, aiming to modernize the nuclear arsenal while maintaining human control. However, experts caution against even partial AI influence on such critical systems.

💻 U.S. Military Buys OpenAI Tech for Combat Use. The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has made the first confirmed purchase of OpenAI's technology, using Microsoft's Azure platform for AI tools to support military missions. The procurement bypassed typical contracting procedures, highlighting AFRICOM's growing need for AI and cloud computing in operations. The document raised concerns over the ethical implications of deploying AI in such environments.

💸 Russian Court Fines Google a Staggering Amount. A Russian court has fined Google an astronomical sum of $20 decillion for blocking content from Russian media channels. This amount far exceeds the global GDP, making it effectively impossible for Google to pay. The fine continues to compound, and the company faces legal battles globally as it fights to protect its assets from Russian authorities.

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