evolution – Lifeboat News: The Blog https://lifeboat.com/blog Safeguarding Humanity Fri, 18 Jul 2025 11:28:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 On the origins of life: Metabolic activity successfully incorporated into synthetic cell membranes https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/on-the-origins-of-life-metabolic-activity-successfully-incorporated-into-synthetic-cell-membranes https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/on-the-origins-of-life-metabolic-activity-successfully-incorporated-into-synthetic-cell-membranes#respond Fri, 18 Jul 2025 11:28:31 +0000 https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/on-the-origins-of-life-metabolic-activity-successfully-incorporated-into-synthetic-cell-membranes

At some point during the evolution of life on Earth, inorganic matter became organic, nonliving matter became living. How this happened is one of humankind’s greatest mysteries. Today, scientists work to develop synthetic cells that mimic living cells, hoping to uncover clues that will help answer the question: how did life on Earth begin?

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New study links human ribcage shape to climate https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/new-study-links-human-ribcage-shape-to-climate https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/new-study-links-human-ribcage-shape-to-climate#respond Thu, 17 Jul 2025 11:23:59 +0000 https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/new-study-links-human-ribcage-shape-to-climate

Ötzi the Iceman may have come to an unfortunate end while crossing the Alps more than 5,000 years ago, but thanks to his well-preserved remains, he’s still helping us understand our past. A new digital reconstruction of the mummy’s ribcage is providing fresh insights into modern human evolution.

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No Bang. Just Currents — Eric Lerner, DemystiCon ‘25, DemystifySci #348 https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/no-bang-just-currents-eric-lerner-demysticon-25-demystifysci-348 https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/no-bang-just-currents-eric-lerner-demysticon-25-demystifysci-348#respond Thu, 17 Jul 2025 03:12:15 +0000 https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/no-bang-just-currents-eric-lerner-demysticon-25-demystifysci-348

Physicist and fusion researcher Eric Lerner presents a sweeping critique of the Big Bang theory and the standard model of cosmology at Demysticon 25. He builds on the foundations of plasma physics and the work of Nobel laureate Hannes Alfvén to outline an alternative cosmological framework rooted in known physical laws—gravity, nuclear fusion, and electromagnetic plasma behavior—rather than hypothetical concepts like dark matter, dark energy, or cosmic inflation. He explores how filamentary plasma structures may account for galaxy formation, how fusion research using dense plasma focus devices parallels cosmic processes, and how the cosmic microwave background may not be relic radiation from a singular origin. Merging astrophysics, plasma cosmology, and energy research, this talk reframes the origin and structure of the universe—and calls into question the prevailing narratives at the heart of modern theoretical physics.

PATREON
/ demystifysci.

PARADIGM DRIFT
https://demystifysci.com/paradigm-dri… Go! Introduction the Big Bang Debate 00:03:57 Eric Lerner’s Perspective on Cosmic Evolution 00:04:21 The Pinch Effect and Electrical Currents in Plasmas 00:10:27 Evolutionary Hierarchies and Cosmic Filaments 00:14:50 Interplay of Forces in Structure Formation 00:18:14 Evidence of Filaments Across Scales 00:25:04 Dynamics of Galaxy Formation and Star Development 00:29:08 Cosmic Microwave Background and Element Formation 00:30:29 The Formation and Properties of Early Galaxies 00:35:22 Energy Flows and the Cosmic Evolution Crisis 00:39:58 Plasma Focus Devices and Fusion Energy Research 00:41:16 Q&A Understanding Galaxy Components and Rotation 00:51:33 Q&A The Implications of Missing Gravity and Galaxy Dynamics 00:58:07 Q&A Gravitational Lensing and Mass Distribution 01:00:32 Q&A Lensing and Galactic Observations 01:02:04 Q&A Fractal Patterns in Cosmology #cosmology, #space, #galaxyformation, #gravitationalwaves, #cosmicstructures, #astrophysics, #fusionenergy, #magneticfields, #spacephysics, #electricuniverse, #criticalthinking #philosophypodcast, #sciencepodcast, #longformpodcast ABOUS US: Anastasia completed her PhD studying bioelectricity at Columbia University. When not talking to brilliant people or making movies, she spends her time painting, reading, and guiding backcountry excursions. Shilo also did his PhD at Columbia studying the elastic properties of molecular water. When he’s not in the film studio, he’s exploring sound in music. They are both freelance professors at various universities. PATREON: get episodes early + join our weekly Patron Chat https://bit.ly/3lcAasB MERCH: Rock some DemystifySci gear : https://demystifysci.myspreadshop.com… AMAZON: Do your shopping through this link: https://amzn.to/3YyoT98 DONATE: https://bit.ly/3wkPqaD SUBSTACK: https://substack.com/@UCqV4_7i9h1_V7h… BLOG: http://DemystifySci.com/blog RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/2be66934/podcast/rss MAILING LIST: https://bit.ly/3v3kz2S SOCIAL:

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MUSIC:-Shilo Delay: https://g.co/kgs/oty671

00:00 Go! Introduction the Big Bang Debate.
00:03:57 Eric Lerner’s Perspective on Cosmic Evolution.
00:04:21 The Pinch Effect and Electrical Currents in Plasmas.
00:10:27 Evolutionary Hierarchies and Cosmic Filaments.
00:14:50 Interplay of Forces in Structure Formation.
00:18:14 Evidence of Filaments Across Scales.
00:25:04 Dynamics of Galaxy Formation and Star Development.
00:29:08 Cosmic Microwave Background and Element Formation.
00:30:29 The Formation and Properties of Early Galaxies.
00:35:22 Energy Flows and the Cosmic Evolution Crisis.
00:39:58 Plasma Focus Devices and Fusion Energy Research.
00:41:16 Q&A Understanding Galaxy Components and Rotation.
00:51:33 Q&A The Implications of Missing Gravity and Galaxy Dynamics.
00:58:07 Q&A Gravitational Lensing and Mass Distribution.
01:00:32 Q&A Lensing and Galactic Observations.
01:02:04 Q&A Fractal Patterns in Cosmology.

#cosmology, #space, #galaxyformation, #gravitationalwaves, #cosmicstructures, #astrophysics, #fusionenergy, #magneticfields, #spacephysics, #electricuniverse, #criticalthinking #philosophypodcast, #sciencepodcast, #longformpodcast.

ABOUS US: Anastasia completed her PhD studying bioelectricity at Columbia University. When not talking to brilliant people or making movies, she spends her time painting, reading, and guiding backcountry excursions. Shilo also did his PhD at Columbia studying the elastic properties of molecular water. When he’s not in the film studio, he’s exploring sound in music. They are both freelance professors at various universities.

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Teilhard De Chardin; The Omega Point and the Noosphere https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/teilhard-de-chardin-the-omega-point-and-the-noosphere https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/teilhard-de-chardin-the-omega-point-and-the-noosphere#respond Thu, 17 Jul 2025 03:11:40 +0000 https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/teilhard-de-chardin-the-omega-point-and-the-noosphere

In this video we look at the thought of French Paleontologist, Cosmologist, WWI veteran and Jesuit Priest, Teilhard De Chardin, and his conceptions of the Omega Point and the Noosphere as articulated in his most significant work, The Phenomenon of Man.

Join us on Discord! / discord.

#integral #philosophy #evolution #consciousness #history #noosphere

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Distant galaxy protocluster harbors a remarkably evolved core, observations find https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/distant-galaxy-protocluster-harbors-a-remarkably-evolved-core-observations-find https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/distant-galaxy-protocluster-harbors-a-remarkably-evolved-core-observations-find#respond Wed, 16 Jul 2025 15:05:50 +0000 https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/distant-galaxy-protocluster-harbors-a-remarkably-evolved-core-observations-find

Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), an international team of astronomers has performed deep and high spectral resolution imaging of a distant protocluster of galaxies, designated A2744-z7p9OD. Results of the new observations, published July 8 on the arXiv preprint server, shed more light on the properties of this protocluster, revealing that it hosts a remarkably evolved core.

Galaxy clusters are collections of hundreds to thousands of galaxies bound together by gravity. Such clusters are the most immense gravitationally bound structures in the universe, and therefore they could serve as excellent laboratories for studying galaxy evolution and cosmology.

Of special interest for astronomers are studies of protoclusters of galaxies—the progenitors of clusters. These objects, found at high redshifts (over 2.0), could provide essential information about the early phases of the universe.

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Extreme Conditions of Early Universe Recreated in Collider Experiment https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/extreme-conditions-of-early-universe-recreated-in-collider-experiment https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/extreme-conditions-of-early-universe-recreated-in-collider-experiment#respond Wed, 16 Jul 2025 06:23:34 +0000 https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/extreme-conditions-of-early-universe-recreated-in-collider-experiment

A team of researchers have made progress in understanding how some of the Universe’s heaviest particles behave under extreme conditions similar to those that existed just after the Big Bang.

A study published in Physics Reports provides new insights into the fundamental forces that shaped our Universe and continues to guide its evolution today.

The research, conducted by an international team from the University of Barcelona, the Indian Institute of Technology, and Texas A&M University, focuses on particles containing heavy quarks, the building blocks of some of the most massive particles in existence.

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Astronomers perform a comprehensive study of two open clusters https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/astronomers-perform-a-comprehensive-study-of-two-open-clusters https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/astronomers-perform-a-comprehensive-study-of-two-open-clusters#respond Wed, 16 Jul 2025 06:22:39 +0000 https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/astronomers-perform-a-comprehensive-study-of-two-open-clusters

Using the TUBITAK National Observatory and ESA’s Gaia satellite, astronomers from the Istanbul University in Turkey and elsewhere have conducted comprehensive observations of two open clusters, namely: Czernik 41 and NGC 1342. Results of the observational campaign, published July 7 on the arXiv preprint server, deliver important insights into the properties of these clusters.

Open clusters (OCs) are groups of stars formed from the same giant molecular cloud and loosely gravitationally bound to each other. Astronomers are interested in inspecting OCs in detail as such studies could be crucial for improving our understanding of the formation and evolution of our galaxy.

That is why a group of researchers led by Istanbul University’s Burçin Tanık Öztürk decided to take a closer look at two well-known OCs—Czernik 41, discovered in 1966, and NGC 1,342, dubbed the Stingray Cluster, which was identified by William Herschel in 1799. For this purpose, they employed the T100 telescope at the TUBITAK National Observatory in Turkey and analyzed the data from the Gaia satellite.

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Single-neuron projectomes of macaque prefrontal cortex reveal primate-specific connectivity principle https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/single-neuron-projectomes-of-macaque-prefrontal-cortex-reveal-primate-specific-connectivity-principle https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/single-neuron-projectomes-of-macaque-prefrontal-cortex-reveal-primate-specific-connectivity-principle#respond Wed, 16 Jul 2025 02:06:22 +0000 https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/single-neuron-projectomes-of-macaque-prefrontal-cortex-reveal-primate-specific-connectivity-principle

In a study published in Cell on July 10, researchers reported the first comprehensive study of whole-brain projectomes of the macaque prefrontal cortex (PFC) at the single-neuron level and revealed the organization of macaque PFC connectivity.

The team from the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology (CEBSIT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, along with a team from the HUST-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, compared macaque and mouse PFC single-neuron projectomes and revealed highly refined axon targeting and arborization in primates.

The PFC in primates, including humans, has dramatically expanded over the course of evolution, which is believed to be the structural basis of high cognitive functions. Previous studies of PFC connectivity in have mainly relied on population-level viral tracing and imaging (fMRI), which in general lack single-cell resolution to examine projection diversity. Meanwhile, whole-brain imaging data for tracing axons in the primate brain are massive in size.

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Inflation without an inflaton https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/inflation-without-an-inflaton https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/inflation-without-an-inflaton#respond Tue, 15 Jul 2025 23:12:47 +0000 https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/inflation-without-an-inflaton

A novel mechanism of inflation is proposed where, starting only from a preexisting de Sitter background, no scalar fields are present, and density perturbations arise from the nonlinear evolution of gravitational waves, which unavoidably arise as quantum vacuum oscillations of the metric. This model-free picture of the early Universe gives concrete predictions that can be tested against cosmological observations.

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Planets may start forming before stars even finish growing https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/planets-may-start-forming-before-stars-even-finish-growing https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/planets-may-start-forming-before-stars-even-finish-growing#respond Sun, 13 Jul 2025 19:06:58 +0000 https://lifeboat.com/blog/2025/07/planets-may-start-forming-before-stars-even-finish-growing

New high-resolution images of protoplanetary disks in the Ophiuchus star-forming region, created with improved analysis. The resolution is shown by the white ellipse in the lower left of each panel, with a smaller ellipse indicating higher resolution. The white line in the lower right of each panel indicates a scale of 30 au. The evolution stage of the central stars progresses from left to right, and from top to bottom in the same row. (Credit: ALMA(ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), A. Shoshi et al.)

In a stellar nursery 460 light-years away, astronomers sharpened old ALMA data and spotted crisp rings and spirals swirling around 27 infant stars—evidence that planets start taking shape just a few hundred thousand years after their suns ignite, far earlier than anyone expected.

Signs of planet formation may appear earlier than expected around still-forming baby stars, according to new results of higher resolution images produced using new improved techniques to reanalyze radio astronomy archive data. These newly discovered signs of planet formation will provide a better understanding of when it begins around a young star, thereby elucidating the process that leads to planet formation, including habitable planets like Earth.

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