Search

Promising Alzheimer’s drug offers hope for a bright future in treatment

A remarkable and significant breakthrough in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease is ushering in a new era of hope and possibilities for patients grappling with early onset dementia. Scientists and researchers are celebrating this groundbreaking development, viewing it as a tremendous opportunity to transform the landscape of Alzheimer's treatment. The drug in question, donanemab, developed by Eli Lilly, has shown remarkable success in clinical trials and is anticipated to receive approval from the Food and Drug Administration later this year, according to a report in the <a href="https://nypost.com/2023/07/17/alzheimers-drug-donanemab-lowers-risk-of-dementia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New York Post</a>. Individuals who participated in the donanemab trials experienced a remarkable 40% reduction in the risk of transitioning from mild cognitive impairment to mild or moderate dementia. This is an extraordinary advancement that brings renewed optimism to those affected by this devastating condition. Donanemab would be the third Alzheimer’s drug to emerge in recent months, following the introduction of Leqembi and Aduhelm. This is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the realm of molecular therapies for Alzheimer's, as expressed by Dr. Gil Rabinovici, director of the University of California San Francisco’s Memory and Ageing Centre, in an editorial for JAMA. Dr. Daniel Skovronsky, the chief scientific and medical officer at Lilly, has emphasised the significance of this breakthrough. He states, "This will be a very important and meaningful drug," as quoted in Fierce Biotech. Skovronsky further adds, "[T]here’s a huge opportunity here for patients." Such resolute optimism is inspiring, reflecting the tremendous potential this drug holds for transforming lives. Similar to Leqembi and Aduhelm, donanemab is a monoclonal antibody designed to target plaque in the brain, specifically the amyloid protein. These amyloid plaques are responsible for the propagation of another protein called tau, which contributes to the development of Alzheimer's disease. Notably, the donanemab trial also revealed that the drug slowed cognitive decline by an impressive 35% compared to a placebo in individuals with low to intermediate levels of tau protein in the brain. In fact, donanemab demonstrated superior efficacy in clearing amyloid plaques when compared to Aduhelm and Leqembi. Moreover, unlike Leqembi, which necessitates long-term usage, patients taking donanemab may follow a fixed-duration dosing schedule, potentially allowing some individuals to discontinue the treatment after a certain period. "I expect that many patients will be able to stop dosing even as soon as 12 months," Skovronsky affirmed. This stands as a significant departure from being prescribed a lifelong medication, providing an exciting and meaningful prospect for patients. While it is important to note that these new Alzheimer’s drugs do carry limitations and risks, medical experts remain cautiously optimistic. Donanemab, along with the other emerging drugs, has been associated with brain swelling and bleeding. Tragically, three individuals in the donanemab clinical trial lost their lives due to these side effects. The risk of brain swelling and bleeding is heightened among those carrying the APOE4 gene, which is associated with an increased susceptibility to Alzheimer’s. Furthermore, individuals with more advanced stages of the disease showed minimal to no benefit compared to those who received a placebo. As a result, it is possible that donanemab will be recommended primarily for individuals with low to intermediate levels of tau proteins, indicating milder forms of the disease. Nevertheless, Skovronsky and other medical experts maintain their optimism regarding the FDA's approval, expressing the urgent need for it to come to fruition. Skovronsky highlights, "Every day that goes by, there are some patients who pass through this early stage of Alzheimer’s disease and become more advanced, and they won’t benefit from treatment. That’s a very pressing sense of urgency." While challenges and risks remain, the emergence of donanemab and its potential approval by the FDA represents a beacon of hope for the millions of individuals and families affected by Alzheimer's disease. It symbolises the start of a new chapter in the fight against this debilitating condition, offering renewed prospects for a brighter future filled with effective treatments and improved quality of life. Image: Shutterstock

Mind

The future of travel is looking bright … and feeling luxurious

A new report from Luxury Gold, experts in the realm of boutique luxury travel experiences, has shed some insight into what hopeful holidaymakers can expect to find on their next once-in-a-lifetime trip. Whether your interests lie in unique experiences you can brag about at every dinner party for the rest of your life, taking home a special piece of your dream getaway as your own personal treasure, or exploring locations most could only ever dream of setting foot in, Luxury Gold have you covered. And while some may be a little unsure at the prospect of luxury travel during a cost of living crunch, Luxury Gold have actually reported a 150% increase in bookings since 2022, and expect almost one in six Australians over 18 to spend $10,000 on their next big break. With that in mind, it has never been more important to know exactly what you want to get out of your holiday - and where to find it. Luckily for us all, Luxury Gold are experts in the field of Luxury Small Group Journeys, and are on a mission to redefine the idea of the New Golden Age of Travel. As managing director Toni Ambler explained, “a holiday is more than ‘just a holiday’ for modern luxury consumers, especially post-pandemic. Instead, it’s an opportunity to grow, learn and soak in experiences that will change us for the better. It’s travel that’s more purposeful and curated, as opposed to ‘in-and-out’ or flash-in-the-pan holidays. “Our customer base has always expected to have one-of-a-kind experiences on their trip. ‘The New Golden Age of Travel’ report underscores this notion, but also shows that we’re seeing a return to this nostalgic essence of what travel used to be in the golden age, where consumers crave curated experiences, souvenirs that matter, and activities that expand our minds.” And when it comes to <a href="https://www.luxurygold.com/en-au/experience/curated-experiences">those curated experiences</a>, Luxury Gold have noted that consumers aren’t just looking to spend their money on flights and a destination before calling it a day, in a trend they’ve named ‘Touring on Top’. Instead, they want an experience out of it all - one unique to where they’re visiting, and one that ticks every box they could ever want to fill, with a trip and itinerary designed specifically for them and their interests - even the most niche of the bunch. “Post-pandemic, we've seen a lot of change in the way Australians travel and why they are travelling. The rise of the travel advisor is key to this, as clients want end-to-end experiences and touring is the perfect example,” Global Brand and Marketing Director for Luxury Travel Associates Anna Burgdorf said. “Instead of booking flights, accommodation and activities on their own, more and more Australians want this process to be seamlessly managed and that means finding a trusted advisor that can undertake this process of collaboration with them … booking a tour simply takes the guesswork and stress out of the booking process. “Whether visiting Travel Associates or speaking with a travel agent, these experts work closely with the customer to understand their unique needs and <a href="https://www.luxurygold.com/en-au/experience/concierge-services">custom build a package tour</a> that works for them.” Essentially, people want human service, and they want someone who’s going to understand - and respect - every last bit of their holiday desires through the entire planning process. American Express have reported that 59% of people would like to work with a travel agent to get the personalised trip of their dreams, while GWI have found that 77% of luxury travellers would rather spend on an experience - or products for one - that comes hand in hand with a sense of community. A rise has occurred in the number of community-oriented trips taking place in the travel sector - with those seeking both the community experience of those they’re taking with them, and those they’re meeting along the way - as people realise what it is that’s important in life, turning their attention to experience, and not only things. However, it can be hard to come home from any trip - especially when it’s not just the trip of a lifetime, but also one entirely for you. That’s why it can make all the difference to bring a little piece of it with you, especially as travellers are searching for those crucial tangible experiences - or, as Luxury Gold have found, ‘Tangible Nostalgia’. As Toni Ambler explained, holidaymakers used to be able to show off their passports and the various stamps they’d collected within, boasting of their adventures with some proof over where they’d explored in their journey across the world. But now, trends suggest that it’s less is actually more, with Toni noting that “it’s more about the quality and unique experiences we’ve had over volume.” Additionally, people don’t just want something to pop on their shelf and forget about, instead reaching for something that evokes the same feeling as the passport boasts, or throws them right back into a moment from their trip, bringing memories to the forefront every time they’re around their treasured keepsake. For example, The Maker Hotel have released perfumes designed to remind visitors of their time living it up away from home - scents that will keep the good times coming, and won’t see those souvenir funds going to waste. TravelPulse have also revealed that music plays a major part in the travel experience, too. So the next time you’re overseas - or even exploring what’s on offer at home - make sure to compile your very own playlist, so the sounds of your experience will never be far from your ears. And as Planet 9 Private Air believe, remaining true to your destination has never mattered more to travellers, as “from the locavore culinary trend to a focus on locally made crafts and artwork, the luxury travel industry is discovering its preference for high-end goods and services sourced from the destinations they represent.” To read the full report and learn more about Luxury Gold’s six travel trends, visit <a href="http://luxurygold.com/en-au/travel-trends-report">luxurygold.com/en-au/travel-trends-report</a>. Images: Luxury Gold [supplied]

International Travel

Huge satellite BlueWalker-3 has now unfurled – and yes it’s very bright

If you look at the sky near Jupiter just after sunset, you might notice a bright new star, travelling fast across the sky. This star is no planet or far-flung galaxy – it’s the largest commercial communications satellite in low-Earth orbit, the BlueWalker 3 satellite which has now unfurled its solar panels. The apartment-sized satellite is a prototype from American company AST SpaceMobile, whose goal is to create a space-based mobile broadband network. This is only one of multiple satellites planned for the SpaceMobile constellation – some of which will be even bigger than BlueWalker 3. Amateur astronomers have been reporting sightings of BlueWalker 3 over the last few weeks, many with an approximate brightness of 2nd or 3rd magnitude. This is moderately bright, but not as bright as Sirius <a href="https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/what-is-stellar-magnitude/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">– the brightest star in the night sky.</a> <figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> <div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <div class="entry-content-asset"> <div class="embed-wrapper"> <div class="inner"> <div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered spai-bg-prepared" style="display: flex; max-width: 500px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" class="spai-bg-prepared" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 400px; height: 550px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="Twitter Tweet" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=cosmosmagazine&dnt=true&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1591249397953998849&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fcosmosmagazine.com%2Fspace%2Fbluewalker-3-unfurlled-ast-space-x-elon-musk%2F&sessionId=96d02fb5de79caae06b83ca7b911f2ac94853601&siteScreenName=cosmosmagazine&theme=light&widgetsVersion=a3525f077c700%3A1667415560940&width=500px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-tweet-id="1591249397953998849"></iframe></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </figure> This means that some astronomers prediction that it “could outshine all stars and planets in the night sky” hasn’t come to pass. However, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_brightest_stars" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a magnitude of 2 would put it in the rank of top 50</a> brightest stars. If you wanted to track it for yourself, <a href="https://heavens-above.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website Heavens Above</a> has just created a new tool <a href="https://www.orbtrack.org/#/?satName=BLUEWALKER%203" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">to track the satellite.</a> <a href="https://in-the-sky.org/satpasses.php?gotosat=53807" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">You can also use In The Sky and note your location.</a> Note that it can only be seen just after the Sun has gone down, as the Sun from below the horizon reflects onto the satellite, and makes it bright. <figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> <div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <div class="entry-content-asset"> <div class="embed-wrapper"> <div class="inner"> <div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered spai-bg-prepared" style="display: flex; max-width: 500px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" class="spai-bg-prepared" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 400px; height: 675px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="Twitter Tweet" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=cosmosmagazine&dnt=true&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1594885656370909186&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fcosmosmagazine.com%2Fspace%2Fbluewalker-3-unfurlled-ast-space-x-elon-musk%2F&sessionId=96d02fb5de79caae06b83ca7b911f2ac94853601&siteScreenName=cosmosmagazine&theme=light&widgetsVersion=a3525f077c700%3A1667415560940&width=500px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-tweet-id="1594885656370909186"></iframe></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </figure> The goal with AST SpaceMobile is to create cellular broadband anywhere on the globe. Similar to Space X’s Starlink, many satellites are required to create full coverage around the world. Astronomers and satellite operators are currently at odds over these satellite constellations. The more there, the more interference is likely for both optical and radio astronomy. There’s also the question of what we – as humans – are comfortable with. Having 100s of these satellites in the sky at any one time would mean that when we look up, many of the bright lights in the sky would not be stars but satellites instead. <figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> <div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <div class="entry-content-asset"> <div class="embed-wrapper"> <div class="inner"> <div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered spai-bg-prepared" style="display: flex; max-width: 500px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" class="spai-bg-prepared" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 400px; height: 699px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="Twitter Tweet" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=cosmosmagazine&dnt=true&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1595568298414215168&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fcosmosmagazine.com%2Fspace%2Fbluewalker-3-unfurlled-ast-space-x-elon-musk%2F&sessionId=96d02fb5de79caae06b83ca7b911f2ac94853601&siteScreenName=cosmosmagazine&theme=light&widgetsVersion=a3525f077c700%3A1667415560940&width=500px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-tweet-id="1595568298414215168"></iframe></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </figure> There’s also potentially issues about collisions in orbit <a href="https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/11/nasa-objects-to-new-megaconstellation-citing-risk-of-catastrophic-collison/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">making our skies unsafe.</a> There’s currently discussions happening between astronomers, satellite operators and the United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) about what is reasonable for satellites to be able to do in the night sky. The next meeting <a href="https://www.skatelescope.org/news/un-body-to-continue-deliberating-on-how-to-protect-dark-quiet-skies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">will occur in 2023</a>. “States are generally supportive, and we succeeded in ensuring that the radio and optical interference effects of large satellite constellations on astronomy are considered by the subcommittee,” Head of Assurance at the SKAO, Tim Stevenson said after the last meeting in February. “We are looking forward to preparing and sustaining our case in COPUOS, which is the paramount forum in the world to deal with this issue.”  <img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=226135&title=Huge+satellite+BlueWalker-3+has+now+unfurled+%E2%80%93+and+yes+it%E2%80%99s+very+bright" width="1" height="1" data-spai-target="src" data-spai-orig="" data-spai-exclude="nocdn" />  <div id="contributors"> <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/space/bluewalker-3-unfurlled-ast-space-x-elon-musk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This article</a> was originally published on Cosmos Magazine and was written by Jacinta Bowler. Image: AST </div>

Technology

The largest commercial communications array ever has just launched. Expect to see it – it’s huge and bright

On the weekend SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launched a giant satellite into space. Called BlueWalker 3, it’s a prototype by American company <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ast-spacemobile-announces-bluewalker-3-123100434.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AST SpaceMobile</a>, which is to create a space-based mobile broadband network. This is only one of multiple satellites planned for the SpaceMobile constellation – <a href="https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/bluewalker-3.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">some even bigger than BlueWalker 3.</a> “The reason why our satellite is large is because in order to communicate with a low-power, low internal strength phone, you just need a large antenna on one side with a lot of power, and so that’s a critical part of our infrastructure,” <a href="https://www.space.com/spacex-bluewalker-3-starlink-satellites-launch-success" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AST SpaceMobile Chief Strategy Officer Scott Wisniewski told Space.com.</a> “We think that’s really important for communicating directly with regular handsets, with no change to the handset, with no extra burdens on the user.” Although this is potentially exciting for those who need that connectivity, astronomers are concerned about just how big and bright this satellite will be. <a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/2337336-huge-satellite-could-outshine-all-stars-and-planets-in-the-night-sky/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A New Scientist report</a> has even suggested that the satellite “could outshine all stars and planets in the night sky”. This is because the satellite is huge and reflective. Once the satellite unfurls – which it will do in the next few weeks – the antenna will measure 64m2. <div class="newsletter-box"> <div id="wpcf7-f6-p213406-o1" class="wpcf7" dir="ltr" lang="en-US" role="form"> <form class="wpcf7-form mailchimp-ext-0.5.62 resetting spai-bg-prepared" action="/technology/bluewalker-launched-spacex-largest-satellite-astronomers/#wpcf7-f6-p213406-o1" method="post" novalidate="novalidate" data-status="resetting"> <input class="wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text referer-page" name="referer-page" type="hidden" value="http://Direct%20Visit" data-value="http://Direct%20Visit" aria-invalid="false" /> </form> </div> </div> As <a href="https://www.universetoday.com/157410/bluewalker-3-satellite-launches-this-weekend-may-be-bright/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Universe Today notes</a> that’s in the same ballpark as NASA’s Echo-1 sphere launched in 1960. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Echo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">That ‘satelloon’ as</a> it was called, was also reflective, and was easy visible to the naked eye over most of Earth. With plans for a number of these huge satellites, ground based optical telescopes may struggle to image the night sky without disturbance. This is a continuation of worries from a few years ago, <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/space/spacex-astronomers-warn-over-musks-planned-satellite-constellation/">where SpaceX’s own satellite megaconstellation Starlink</a> began to affect astronomers’ work. The Falcon 9 rocket also included new Starlink satellites<a href="https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/05/13/spacex-passes-2500-satellites-launched-for-companys-starlink-network/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">, which brings the numbers over 2,200 active satellites</a> – which is about half the number of satellites SpaceX wants in orbit. It’s also worth pointing out that around <a href="https://dewesoft.com/daq/every-satellite-orbiting-earth-and-who-owns-them" target="_blank" rel="noopener">half of the satellites currently in orbit are Starlink’s. </a> <a href="https://www.science.org/content/article/starlink-already-threatens-optical-astronomy-now-radio-astronomers-are-worried" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Radio astronomers</a> are also nervous. As <a href="https://www.sciencealert.com/starlink-is-being-an-absolute-nuisance-to-astronomers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alan Duffy at the time told ScienceAlert</a> “a full constellation of Starlink satellites will likely mean the end of Earth-based microwave-radio telescopes able to scan the heavens for faint radio objects.” Currently, astronomers are building a group to tackle this problem called the ‘IAU Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference’. It’s quite a mouthful, but the problem requires not only technological fixes, but tough conversations with these technology companies to come to a solution for everyone. Luckily, Jeffrey Hall, director of Lowell Observatory in Arizona, US, <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/space/increasing-concerns-about-crowded-space/">told Cosmos back in 2020,</a> “neither astronomers nor space scientists are strangers to difficult problems.”  <img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=213406&title=The+largest+commercial+communications+array+ever+has+just+launched.+Expect+to+see+it+%26%238211%3B+it%E2%80%99s+huge+and+bright" width="1" height="1" />  <div id="contributors"> <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/bluewalker-launched-spacex-largest-satellite-astronomers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This article</a> was originally published on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cosmos Magazine</a> and was written by <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/contributor/jacinta-bowler" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jacinta Bowler</a>. Jacinta Bowler is a science journalist at Cosmos. They have a undergraduate degree in genetics and journalism from the University of Queensland and have been published in the Best Australian Science Writing 2022. Image: Getty Images </div>

Technology

Meteors seem to be raining down on New Zealand, but why are some bright green?

<h1 class="legacy">Meteors seem to be raining down on New Zealand, but why are some bright green?</h1> <figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/476788/original/file-20220731-19335-76trxr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=5%2C304%2C3828%2C1851&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" /><figcaption>Greg Price, Author provided</figcaption></figure> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jack-baggaley-1366298">Jack Baggaley</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-canterbury-1004">University of Canterbury</a> New Zealand may seem to be under meteor bombardment at the moment. After a <a href="https://theconversation.com/equivalent-to-1-800-tonnes-of-tnt-what-we-now-know-about-the-meteor-that-lit-up-the-daytime-sky-above-new-zealand-186636">huge meteor exploded</a> above the sea near Wellington on July 7, creating a sonic boom that could be heard across the bottom of the South Island, a smaller fireball was captured two weeks later above Canterbury. <a href="https://fireballs.nz/">Fireballs Aotearoa</a>, a collaboration between astronomers and citizen scientists which aims to recover freshly fallen meteorites, has received a lot of questions about these events. One of the most frequent is about the bright green colour, and whether it is the same green produced by auroras. <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/476789/original/file-20220731-20-zrewrz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/476789/original/file-20220731-20-zrewrz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/476789/original/file-20220731-20-zrewrz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/476789/original/file-20220731-20-zrewrz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/476789/original/file-20220731-20-zrewrz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/476789/original/file-20220731-20-zrewrz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/476789/original/file-20220731-20-zrewrz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="An image of an aurora australis" /><figcaption>An aurora australis observed from the international space station. Wikimedia Commons, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/">CC BY-ND</a></figcaption></figure> Green fireballs have been reported and filmed in New Zealand regularly. Bright meteors often signal the arrival of a chunk of asteroid, which can be anywhere between a few centimetres to a metre in diameter when it comes crashing through the atmosphere. Some of these asteroids contain nickel and iron and they hit the atmosphere at speeds of up to 60km per second. This releases an enormous amount of heat very quickly, and the vapourised iron and nickel radiate green light. But is this the same as the bright green of an aurora? For the most recent meteor, the answer is mainly no, but it’s actually not that simple. <h2>The colours of a meteor trail</h2> The green glow of the aurora is caused by oxygen ions in the upper atmosphere, created by collisions between atmospheric oxygen molecules and particles ejected by the sun. These oxygen ions recombine with electrons to produce oxygen atoms, but the electrons can persist in an excited state for several seconds. In an energy transition known as “forbidden” because it does not obey the usual quantum rules, they then radiate the auroral green light at 557nm wavelength. A meteor can also shine by this route, but only if it’s extremely fast. Very fast meteors heat up in the thin atmosphere above 100km where auroras form. If you want to see a green auroral wake from a meteor, watch out for the Perseid meteor shower, which has now started and will peak on August 13 in the southern hemisphere. Also arriving at about 60km per second, the Perseids are extremely fast bits of the <a href="https://www.space.com/33677-comet-swift-tuttle-perseid-meteor-shower-source.html">comet Swift-Tuttle</a>. Some Perseids trail a beautiful, glowing and distinctly green wake behind them, particularly at the start of their path. Once the Canterbury meteor hit on July 22, the capricious winds of the upper atmosphere twisted the gently glowing trail, resulting in a pale yellow glow towards the end (as seen in the GIF below, also recorded by Greg Price for an earlier meteor). This is caused by sodium atoms being continually excited in a catalytic reaction involving ozone. <img src="https://cdn.theconversation.com/static_files/files/2231/The_22_July_meteor_-_persistent_train_-_credit_Greg_Price.gif?1659310010" width="100%" /> <h2>Are we being bombarded by meteors?</h2> Yes and no. The arrival of big, booming green meteors and the dropping of meteorites isn’t rare in New Zealand, but it is rare to recover the rock. Fireballs Aotearoa is working to improve the recovery rate. In an average year, perhaps four meteorites hit New Zealand. We’re encouraging citizen scientists to build their own meteor camera systems so they can catch these events. By comparing the meteor against the starry background and triangulating images caught by multiple cameras, we can pin down the meteor’s position in the atmosphere to within tens of metres. <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/476790/original/file-20220731-43929-h2dp31.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/476790/original/file-20220731-43929-h2dp31.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/476790/original/file-20220731-43929-h2dp31.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/476790/original/file-20220731-43929-h2dp31.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/476790/original/file-20220731-43929-h2dp31.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/476790/original/file-20220731-43929-h2dp31.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/476790/original/file-20220731-43929-h2dp31.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="The July 22 meteor as seen by a specialised meteor camera near Ashburton." /><figcaption>The July 22 meteor as seen by a specialised meteor camera near Ashburton. Campbell Duncan/NASA/CAMS NZ, Author provided</figcaption></figure> Not only does that help us find the rock, but it tells us what the pre-impact orbit of the meteoroid was, which in turn tells us which part of the solar system it came from. This is a rather efficient way of sampling the solar system without ever having to launch a space mission. <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/476791/original/file-20220731-31484-7i4x0t.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/476791/original/file-20220731-31484-7i4x0t.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=440&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/476791/original/file-20220731-31484-7i4x0t.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=440&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/476791/original/file-20220731-31484-7i4x0t.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=440&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/476791/original/file-20220731-31484-7i4x0t.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=553&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/476791/original/file-20220731-31484-7i4x0t.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=553&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/476791/original/file-20220731-31484-7i4x0t.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=553&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Map of witness reports and cameras." /><figcaption>Witness reports and high-resolution meteor cameras help to calculate a meteor’s trajectory. This map shows the approximate trajectory of the July 22 meteor at the top of the red shape in the centre. Fireballs Aotearoa and International Meteor Association, Author provided</figcaption></figure> Fireballs Aotearoa is rapidly populating Otago with meteor cameras and there are half a dozen more in other parts of the South Island. The North Island isn’t well covered yet, and we’re keen for more people (in either island) to build or buy a meteor camera and keep it pointed at the sky. Then next time a bright meteor explodes with a boom above New Zealand, we may be able to pick up the meteorite and do some good science with it. <hr /> Many thanks for the input from Jim Rowe of the UK Fireball Alliance, and Greg Price who photographed the July 22 meteor and the persistent train.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/187836/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jack-baggaley-1366298">Jack Baggaley</a>, Professor Emeritus Physics and Astronomy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-canterbury-1004">University of Canterbury</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/meteors-seem-to-be-raining-down-on-new-zealand-but-why-are-some-bright-green-187836">original article</a>.

Domestic Travel

“One silver lining”: Lisa Wilkinson offers glimmer of a bright side

Following the announcement of 239 new COVID-19 cases in New South Wales on Thursday, Lisa Wilkinson has described the numbers as a “gut punch”. “Like most people in NSW at the moment - that number that started with a two today felt like a real gut punch,” Lisa said on The Project on Thursday night. “I think we thought that it might nudge close to 200 but the fact that it was so far over the 200 number really felt like the game has changed - we’re in a whole different realm. “I don’t think anybody thinks for a moment that we will be out of this at the end of August.” <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CR6QCEeHrOj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CR6QCEeHrOj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by The Project (@theprojecttv)</a> </div> </blockquote> But, Wilkinson has found one positive during these dour times, pointing out that vaccine hesitancy has lowered. “There is one silver lining, because I think a lot of us are looking for a silver lining at the moment, and that is that in NSW the vaccine hesitancy has halved from 33 percent at the end of May to down to 14.6 percent. So at least that’s going to lift those numbers and hopefully give a lot of people who get the vaccine a fighting chance,” she said. “And, unlike other states, there’s no supply issue, really, in NSW, because AstraZeneca is now being recommended for everybody to have,” co-host Waleed Aly added. “So it’s not like you’re waiting for vaccines to arrive - and you can actually fulfil that increased enthusiasm.” The Melbourne Institute has found that the rate of vaccine hesitancy has been significantly reduced in NSW and Victoria following recent outbreaks. Seven percent of adults in NSW are still unsure about getting vaccinated, down from 14.3 percent at the end of May. <a rel="noopener" href="https://melbourneinstitute.unimelb.edu.au/publications/research-insights/ttpn/vaccination-report" target="_blank">The report</a> produced by the institute has said “policies to reduce vaccine hesitancy need to be carefully targeted at populations most vulnerable and most likely to transmit the virus, as well as geographic areas with the lowest vaccination rates”. Image: Channel 10

News

Why this $800 lamp is unlike any other

Sony have decided to add a touch of glass and light to their latest speaker. The Song LSPX-S2 speaker uses three actuators that vibrate against the glass tube, which turns the entire tube into a speaker. “Unlike the highly-directional sound of conventional tweeters, thanks to its cylindrical shape, the glass tube delivers precise sound quality from every angle,” said <a href="https://www.sony.com.au/electronics/wireless-speakers/lspx-s2">Sony</a>. The glass tube features a 35mm speaker as well as a passive radiator to amplify low notes, which can be found at the bottom of the device. The light inside the glass casing offers 32 different levels of brightness, which can include dinner lighting to a bedside reading light. You can even make it flicker like a candle. However, Sony has warned that the product isn’t strong enough to be suitable for household room illumination. They’ve also explained that the “organic glass” is actually acrylic resin. As the device has built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth as well as 8 hours of battery life, it’s a handy little speaker to have in your home. A device like this doesn’t come cheap though, and it’ll set you back around $800.

Music

The reason Queen Elizabeth II always wears bright coats

After more than six decades on the throne, Her Majesty has established a reputation as a sovereign style icon with her coat-dresses and iconic headwear. Now, a few of the Queen’s wardrobe secrets have been revealed in a documentary called The Queen at 90. The Queen’s daughter-in-law, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, revealed in the documentary that the Queen’s bold colours is a tactic for her to stick out in a crowd. “She needs to stand out for people to be able to say ‘I saw the Queen,’ ” Sophie revealed in the documentary. “Don’t forget that when she turns up somewhere, the crowds are two, three, four, 10, 15 deep – and someone wants to be able to say they saw a bit of the Queen’s hat as she went past.” As well as her bright colours, the Queen also pairs her outfits with a designer handbag. Reportedly, the Queen owns more than 200 Launer London purses. In the late 1960s, the Queen received her first bag from the brand and now she chooses to recycle her purses from throughout the years for various engagements. It is believed Buckingham Palace generally only commissions five bags per year. However, the Queen’s purses are used for much more than just storing her essential items. Her Majesty reportedly sends signals to her staff, moving her bag from one hand to another when she is trying to wrap up a conversation. “It would be done very nicely,” royal historian Hugo Vickers told PEOPLE. “Someone would come along and say, ‘Sir, the Archbishop of Canterbury would very much like to meet you.’” If the Queen places her handbag on the table at dinner, it signals that she wants the event to end in the next five minutes, The Telegraph reported. “If she puts her bag on the floor, it shows she’s not enjoying the conversation and wants to be rescued by her lady-in-waiting.” According to couture designer Karl-Ludwig Rehse, who first started designing outfits for the Queen in 1988, her outfits are planned months before an event. “It’s not the case that the Queen is going somewhere next week and thinks, ‘What am I going to wear?’” Rehse told CNN. “Sometimes it is six months, 12 months or longer.” Scroll through the gallery above to see the Queen’s best brightly coloured coats.

Beauty & Style

Bright and tasty beetroot risotto

Don't be scared of making risotto – it's actually pretty simple. This version, using canned beetroot, involves minimal fuss, looks impressive and tastes great. Serves: Four Ingredients: <ul> <li>2 x 400g cans beetroot in juice</li> <li>30g butter</li> <li>2 onions, finely diced</li> <li>1 clove garlic, crushed</li> <li>2 tablespoons thyme leaves</li> <li>200g arborio rice</li> <li>1 teaspoon brown sugar</li> <li>1⁄2 cup chopped walnuts, lightly toasted</li> <li>6 tablespoons walnut oil or extra virgin olive oil</li> <li>3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar</li> <li>100g goat's milk feta, crumbled</li> <li>1 small fresh beetroot, peeled, thinly sliced (optional)</li> <li>Micro herbs to serve</li> </ul> Method: <ol> <li>Process the canned beetroot and juice in a food processor until smooth. Add a little water and process until you have a pourable consistency. Reserve.</li> <li>Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat. Add the onion, garlic and thyme and fry gently until the onion is tender. Add the rice and fry, stirring, for two minutes.</li> <li>Add 100ml of the beetroot puree to the rice and stir until 2⁄3 of the liquid has been absorbed before adding another 100ml. Continue adding the puree, 100ml at a time, cooking until the rice is al dente and the risotto is moist but spoonable.</li> <li>Stir in the sugar and season heavily with black pepper.</li> <li>Combine the walnuts, oil and vinegar.</li> <li>Serve the risotto topped with the walnut mixture, goat's cheese, sliced beetroot and herbs.</li> </ol> Mmm, are you going to try this dish? Written by Jo Pearson. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz</a>. Image credit: Aaron McClean / Stuff.co.nz. Have you ordered your copy of the Over60 cookbook, The Way Mum Made It, yet? Featuring 178 delicious tried-and-true recipes from you, the Over60 community, and your favourites that have appeared on the Over60 website, <a href="https://shop.abc.net.au/products/way-mum-made-it-pbk%20%20%20" target="_blank">head to the abcshop.com.au to order your copy now</a>.

Food & Wine

8 washing tips to make your whites whiter and your brights brighter

By taking the time to carefully wash your clothes and fabrics they can look better and last much longer. 1. Act fast to remove stains from fabric. The longer you leave it the harder it often is to remove. 2. Remove spilled liquids on fabric by blotting with a white cloth. Start on the outside of the stain and work your way in so that the stain doesn’t spread. 3. Help to remove an oily stain by sprinkling it with cornflour. Leave it for 15 minutes before scraping it off and laundering as usual. 4. Use fresh lemon to help whiten your napkins, linen placemats, or even sports socks. On the stovetop, fill a large pot with water and some sliced lemon. Bring the water to the boil and then turn off the heat. Add your whites and soak for an hour before washing as normal. 5. To get rid of stained clothes, make a paste of three tablespoons baking soda and three tablespoons water. Place the paste over the affected area and allow to sit for 15 minutes before washing. 6. Clean white tablecloths by adding one-quarter cup of white vinegar to your rinse cycle. White vinegar cuts through grease and can help remove stubborn stains such as red wine or tomato sauce. 7. Before washing your clothes, close all zippers, clasps, hooks and snaps. Leave buttons undone as it is better for your clothes. 8. Protect the fabric on fade prone clothes such as dark trousers or jeans by washing them inside out. Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/at-home/2014/11/how-clean-are-your-towels/" target="_blank">How clean are your towels?</a> <a href="/lifestyle/at-home/2014/10/how-to-homemade-laundry-powder-and-softener/" target="_blank">How to: homemade laundry powder and softener</a> <a href="/lifestyle/at-home/2014/12/rid-household-smells/" target="_blank">Tips for banishing household smells</a>

Home & Garden

Our Partners

Over 60

News

Shop

Catalogues

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Games

Information

Keep up to date