Discoveries

Good morning, Science Enthusiasts!

In about 5 million years, our sun will turn into a red giant—a dying star in its final stages of stellar evolution.

Current models suggest that, as it expands, the red giant will strip the Earth of most, if not all, of its atmosphere before finally swallowing us whole. But, according to new research, our planet’s atmosphere may be more resilient than we once thought.

1,840 light years away lies a newly discovered exoplanet whose parent star has turned into a red giant. Yet despite the intense radiation from its parent star, the resilient planet—nicknamed Phoenix—has managed to retain its “puffy” atmosphere, suggesting that our own planet might also survive during these later stages of our solar system.

And speaking of survival, scientists have discovered that our gut microbiomes may play an important role in defending us against cardiovascular disease as we age.

But first, let’s look at a rare, sexually transmitted species of ringworm that has been spotted in the U.S. for the first time.

We’ll see you on Friday but until then, stay curious 🚀

Pandora Dewan is a Senior Science Reporter at Newsweek based in London, UK. Her focus is reporting on science, health and technology. You can get in touch with Pandora by emailing [email protected], or on Instagram and X @PandoraDewan.

SEXUAL HEALTH ALERT

Fungal STI found

Rare Fungal STI Outbreak in US: Symptoms to Look Out For

Healthcare officials are sounding the alarm after a highly contagious sexually transmitted ringworm infection, known as Trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII, was detected in the U.S. for the first time. Ringworm is a broad term for a group of skin infections caused by various species of fungi. There are many different forms of ringworm, including athlete's foot. Here are symptoms of T. mentagrophytes  to watch for.

Want to learn more about infections and related warnings? Here are some stories that you might like.

LAB NOTES

Top science news across disciplines

Climate change: About 200 yards offshore of North Miami Beach, "the Sea Hive" artificial reef will test how manmade and natural defenses can protect valuable waterfront property against the battering waves of tropical storms. Meet the man mixing concrete and corals to defend Miami in hurricane season.
The cosmos: An astrophysicist has shown that gravity may be able to exist without mass, a theory that suggests dark matter may not be necessary to explain phenomena observed in our universe. Learn more.
Neuroscience: The way we explore our environment might contribute to healthier brain aging, a new study suggests. The findings may offer new methods for staving off cognitive decline, as well as early biomarkers for Alzheimer's diagnosis. See the findings.
Environment: Louisiana has been warned of soaring toxic gas levels that can "directly damage DNA." A recent study revealed that toxic levels of ethylene oxide gas were found in parts of Louisiana, at concentrations thousands of times higher than what is deemed safe. Find out more about the area that is known as "Cancer Alley."
Gut Health: The secret to healthy aging could be bacteria. Specifically, the trillions of bacteria that live in our gut, which influence digestion, mental health, and disease risk. Find out more. — compiled by Sonal Nain, newsletter producer

RARE FINDS

Exploring archaeology

Archaeologists Unearth 19,000 Artifacts at 'Once-in-a-Decade' Site

Archaeologists have unearthed around 19,000 artifacts, dating from prehistory to the early medieval period, at a "once-in-a-decade" site in the United Kingdom. The finds were uncovered during an excavation at the Calthorpe Gardens residential development, which is on the outskirts of the historic market town of Banbury, southern England, house builder Orbit Homes announced in a press release. The excavation has been taking place ahead of the construction of a new set of homes at Calthorpe. Learn more about these remarkable artifacts.