☕️ Satellite survives impact with object in space

Good morning. If emotions are high after the US election, just remember the words of this guy:

—Dylan J. Dance

SCIENCE

📸 Satellite survives impact with object in space, takes selfie to prove it
NanoAvionics' MP42 satellite captured a selfie showing a 6 mm hole in its solar panel after being struck by a small object. The incident underlines the growing concern over space debris in Earth's orbit​.

🌍 Experiment reveals how Earth's magnetic field influences flow in planet's core. A recent experiment by a team of physicists demonstrated how Earth's magnetic field impacts fluid movement in the planet's core. The findings help bridge gaps between theoretical models and satellite observations of Earth's magnetic field​.

🔋 Surprise finding reveals mitochondrial 'energy factories' come in two different types. Researchers have found that mitochondria can split into two distinct types when nutrients are scarce, with one type focusing on energy production and the other on producing vital cellular building blocks. This adaptation may explain how some cancers thrive in harsh environments.

🌀 Physicists spot quantum tornadoes twirling in a 'supersolid'. Physicists have confirmed the existence of quantum vortices within a supersolid, a paradoxical state of matter that behaves both like a solid and a fluid. This discovery might help explain properties in neutron stars and other extreme systems​.

⭐ Astronomers may have spotted the smallest possible stars. Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have observed brown dwarfs as small as three Jupiter masses, close to the theoretical lower limit for star formation. One controversial study even claims detection of paired brown dwarfs almost as small as Jupiter​.

TECH

📱 Canada bans TikTok from operating, but Canadians can still use it. The Trudeau government has ordered TikTok to wind down its operations in Canada, citing national security concerns. Despite this, users will still be able to access and use the app. The decision was based on evidence that surfaced during a national security review and concerns over potential Chinese government access to user data.

🤖 Trump planning to repeal AI restrictions, promoting rapid development. Donald Trump has announced plans to repeal existing AI regulations implemented by the Biden administration. The current regulations require risk assessments and safeguards to prevent biases in AI models, but Trump has criticized these as hindering innovation. With the proposed deregulation, Trump's platform aims to promote free development of AI technology, sparking both optimism and concern in the tech community.

💻 FBI seeks public help to identify Chinese hackers. The FBI is asking the public for assistance in identifying individuals behind a series of global cyber intrusions attributed to Chinese state-sponsored hackers. These hackers have been linked to advanced persistent threat (APT) groups such as APT31, exploiting vulnerabilities to target government entities, critical infrastructure, and corporate networks. The FBI's request follows a series of campaigns aimed at exfiltrating sensitive data worldwide.

🔌 Semiconductors could become a US$1 trillion-dollar sector by 2030. The global semiconductor industry is projected to reach a value of US$1 trillion by 2030. Investments driven by the CHIPS Act have led to over 90 new manufacturing projects in the U.S. alone. However, challenges remain, including a significant shortage of skilled talent and effective implementation of policy to maintain growth and competitiveness.

HEALTH

💊 Very early medication abortion found to be effective and safe. A large study led by Karolinska Institutet indicates that performing medication abortion before the sixth week of pregnancy is as safe and effective as waiting until ultrasound confirmation​

👶 Effects of preterm birth extend into adulthood, study finds. A long-term study of 2.4 million individuals in Canada revealed that preterm birth can negatively impact educational and employment outcomes well into adulthood. Those born preterm earned lower incomes and were less likely to attend university compared to individuals born at full term​.

🧬 Stem cells can tailor their role in gene therapy based on the underlying disease, study suggests. Researchers have found that hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) used in gene therapy adapt their lineage commitment depending on the disease they are treating. This adaptability is crucial for optimizing gene therapy outcomes for patients with inherited disorders​.

SPACE

☀️ Sun erupts with powerful X2.3 solar flare, triggers radio blackouts. Sunspot AR 3883 unleashed an X2.3-class solar flare on November 6, causing radio blackouts in parts of the Atlantic Ocean and South America. The flare ranks among the most powerful eruptions from the sun, capable of generating geomagnetic storms and auroras if it leads to a coronal mass ejection.

🛰️ Boeing's Military Space Plane Just Slammed on the Brakes in Orbit. Boeing's experimental X-37B space plane has tested a new maneuver called "aerobraking," which involves using atmospheric drag to reduce its orbital altitude. The X-37B spent 908 days in space before this maneuver and demonstrated Boeing's progress in military space technologies.

🚀 SpaceX targets Nov. 18 for next Starship megarocket launch. SpaceX is preparing for its next Starship test flight, aiming for a launch on November 18. The spacecraft, intended for eventual missions to the Moon and Mars, will undergo extensive checks to ensure it meets safety standards following its first launch attempt earlier this year.

CLIMATE

🌱 Bio-based fibers could pose a greater threat to the environment than conventional plastics. A study led by the University of Plymouth found that bio-based materials, like viscose and lyocell, could have harmful effects on the soil ecosystem, contrary to their green image. When exposed to these fibers, 80% of earthworms died after 72 hours, highlighting the environmental risk these alternatives to traditional plastics may pose.

WORLD

🪴 Earliest evidence of Ephedra use found in 15,000-year-old Moroccan burial. Researchers have discovered evidence of Ephedra use in a Moroccan burial dating back 15,000 years. The plant, known for its alkaloids like ephedrine, was found in charred remains at a site known as Grotte des Pigeons, providing insight into early medicinal practices and diet during the Late Pleistocene.

📵 Australia proposes ban on social media for those under 16. The Australian government has introduced a proposal that would effectively ban anyone under 16 from using social media platforms without parental consent. The measure aims to tackle rising cyberbullying and social media-related mental health issues among teenagers.

💣 US military test-launches unarmed nuclear missile on election night. The US military launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile on November 6. The missile traveled approximately 4,200 miles before impacting its target in the Marshall Islands, serving as a demonstration of the military's nuclear readiness.

📱 Hacker threatens to release Donald Trump and Kamala Harris' personal mobile phone numbers in extortion bid. A hacker is threatening to release personal call logs of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris if AT&T does not comply with their demands. The cybercriminal, known as kiberphantôm, posted a sample of Kamala Harris' stolen call records to a private hacking forum.

Thanks for reading!