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NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration's JPL was founded on Halloween 1936, when Caltech professor Theodore von Kármán and a group of graduate students conducted their first tests of an alcohol-fueled rocket motor in the Arroyo Seco. (This was 22 years before the formation of NASA!)

Happy 89th anniversary!

Credit: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

The Common Swift (Apus apus) is one of the most fascinating birds on Earth and a true marvel of avian biology, aerodynamics, and evolutionary adaptation. Known for its incredible endurance, this small migratory bird has captured the attention of scientists, wildlife researchers, birdwatchers, and nature enthusiasts around the world. What makes the common swift truly exceptional is its ability to stay airborne for months—and sometimes years—without landing.

Unlike most birds that need to perch frequently, the common swift has evolved almost entirely for life in the air. Research using advanced tracking technology and bio-logging devices has revealed that common swifts can remain in continuous flight for up to 10 months straight. During this time, they sleep, eat, drink, and even mate while flying, making them one of the most extreme examples of animal endurance and survival strategy in the natural world.

The secret behind this astonishing lifestyle lies in the swift’s highly efficient wing structure and lightweight body design. Long, curved wings allow the bird to glide effortlessly on air currents, reducing energy consumption. This makes the common swift a perfect case study in aerodynamic efficiency, often referenced in engineering, aviation research, and biomimicry studies. In fact, scientists and aerospace engineers study birds like the swift to inspire innovations in drone technology and energy-efficient flight systems.

From a sleep science perspective, the common swift is equally remarkable. Studies suggest that swifts can engage in unihemispheric slow-wave sleep, meaning one half of the brain rests while the other remains alert—an ability also seen in dolphins. This adaptation allows the bird to rest without losing control during flight, a breakthrough discovery in neuroscience and animal behavior research.

Common swifts play a vital role in ecosystem balance. Feeding primarily on airborne insects such as mosquitoes, flies, and agricultural pests, they contribute to natural pest control, which has economic and environmental importance. Their presence supports sustainable ecosystems and biodiversity conservation, making them an indicator species for environmental health.

However, despite their extraordinary abilities, common swifts face serious threats. Climate change, habitat loss, urban development, and declining insect populations have caused swift numbers to decrease in many regions. Conservationists emphasize the importance of wildlife protection, urban nesting sites, and environmental awareness to ensure the survival of this iconic species.

*Scientist have successfully removed HIV from human cells using CRISPR gene editing, a huge milestone in the search for HIV/AIDS treatment*

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Novel Treatment Based on Gene Editing Safely and Effectively Removes HIV-Like Virus from Genomes of Non-Human Primates By Katz CommunicationsAug. 28, 2024 Share on Socialshare on socialFacebookTwitterLinkedIn (Philadelphia, PA) – A single injection of a novel CRISPR gene-editing treatment safely and efficiently removes SIV – a virus related to the AIDS-causing agent HIV – from the genomes of non-human primates...

New study demonstrates that we should not study brain connectivity in isolation, but rather acknowledge its interdependence with the dynamics of the environment, changes in lifestyle, and short-term fluctuations such as transient illnesses or restless sleep. These results reflect a prolonged and sustained relationship between external factors and neural processes.

https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pbio.3002797&fbclid=IwY2xjawKhXO5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHiRkcRWeRfS_fX8F8ug2CRFpPpZCX30SKG-LiaLlRd-Pbl4RIMA8Ni8-x86I_aem_Mz6ck9o9NKB8T6Naf29BGQ

Longitudinal single-subject neuroimaging study reveals effects of daily environmental, physiological, and lifestyle factors on functional brain connectivity Functional brain activity is often measured during a single scanning session which neglects behavioral, physiological and lifestyle effects on brain activity. This study presents functional neuroimaging data from 30 neuroimaging session across 15 weeks from one participant and reveals relationships....

*Time Delays as Attosecond Probe of Interelectronic Coherence and Entanglement*

New study shows that the time delay of the photoionized electron allows one to monitor the ultrafast variations of coherence dynamics and entanglement in real time. The study further measured the speed of quantum entanglement, taking place on attosecond scales.

learn more https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.133.163201

Photo credit: Hashem Al-Ghaili

3.4 billion people live inside this little circle. Just 4.6 people live outside it. Almost half the world's population lives in just that one tiny region of the planet. India is the most populated country in the world. More than 1.419 billion people live there. China comes next, with a population of 1.407 billion. Once you add in Pakistan (257 million), Indonesia (287 million), and the other nations in the area you come to a total of just about 3.4 billion.

Credit: Hashem Al-Ghaili