Science!

June 1Jun 1

1 hour ago, paco said:
An experiment in how spacing affects growth. Each circle has the same # of trees:

Was curious what conclusion was, so here it is.

In 1973, an experimental forestry project near Nichinan City, Japan, resulted in the formation of striking tree circles. This experiment, designed to study the impact of tree spacing on growth, involved planting Japanese cedar trees (sugi) in concentric circles with increasing diameters.The resulting concave patterns, now visible from above, are a testament to how tree density affects growth.

Details of the Experiment:

Goal:
To investigate the influence of tree spacing on growth.
Method:
Planting trees in 10-degree radial increments, creating ten concentric circles.
Results:
The trees grew in a convex shape, forming the distinctive circular patterns.
Significance:
The experiment demonstrated that tree density affects growth, highlighting the importance of spacing in forestry practices.
Current Status:
The trees are due to be harvested, but there are discussions about preserving the unique circular forest as a tourist attraction.

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June 2Jun 2

Author

The clearest description of the Turbo Encabulator I've ever seen.

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June 10Jun 10

Explains why CVON is so old and crotchety

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June 16Jun 16

Kobe University study reveals a hidden cause of autism. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250614034240.htm

One of the things the data analysis brought to light is that autism-causing mutations often result in neurons being unable to eliminate misshapen proteins. "This is particularly interesting since the local production of proteins is a unique feature in neurons, and a lack of quality control of these proteins may be a causal factor of neuronal defects,” explains Takumi.

June 17Jun 17

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June 29Jun 29

Author

Astronomers Detect Ancient Radio Signals from Distant Galaxy Cluster, Shedding Light on Early Universe

Astronomers have made a significant discovery while studying the distant galaxy cluster designated as SpARCS1049. They detected faint, ancient radio signals that may provide insights into the formation of the early universe. This groundbreaking finding, detailed in a study published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters and available on the preprint server ArXiv, indicates that the radio waves took an astonishing 10 billion years to reach Earth. The radio signals originate from a vast region of space populated with high-energy particles and magnetic fields, forming what is referred to as a mini-halo. This type of structure has not been previously identified at such great distances, marking a first in astronomical observations. Mini-halos are characterized as faint concentrations of charged particles that emit both radio and X-ray waves and are typically observed within clusters that exist between galaxies.
Co-author Roland Timmerman from the Institute for Computational Cosmology at Durham University remarked on the significance of this discovery, noting that it presents a powerful radio signal from such a remarkable distance. Timmerman emphasized that the energetic particles involved and the processes that produce them have likely influenced the development of galaxy clusters throughout nearly the entire history of the universe. The research team utilized data from the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) radio telescope, which is comprised of 100,000 small antennas distributed across eight European countries. The study proposes two potential sources responsible for the makeup of these mini-halos.
The first theory suggests that supermassive black holes located at the centers of galaxies could be responsible for releasing high-energy particles into space. However, the researchers expressed confusion regarding how these particles could escape the gravitational pull of such powerful black holes to contribute to these clusters. The second theory posits that cosmic particle collisions are at play. These collisions happen when charged particles infused with hot plasma collide at nearly the speed of light. The resulting smash creates high-energy particles that can be detected from Earth.
Following these discoveries, astronomers now posit that the influence of either black holes or high-energy particle collisions on galaxy energization might have begun earlier than previously thought.
Future advancements in telescope technology, such as the Square Kilometer Array, are expected to enable astronomers to detect even fainter signals, potentially unveiling more mysteries of the universe. Co-lead author Julie Hlavacek-Larrondo from the University of Montreal commented on the implications of the findings, stating that this is merely the surface of understanding the energetic conditions of the early universe. She expressed optimism that the discovery offers a new perspective on how galaxy clusters grow and evolve, influenced by both black holes and the intricate dynamics of high-energy particle physics.