Science News: Arctic fossil reveals previously unknown hornless rhinoceros' species

 Arctic fossil reveals previously unknown hornless rhinoceros' species

With 75% of its skeleton preserved in Devon Island’s Haughton Crater, the Miocene rhino shows the species crossed the North Atlantic land bridge much later than once thought, says lead author Fraser.

By Jerusalem Post Staff, October 29, 2025

https://www.jpost.com/science/article-872051

Artist's recreation of Epiatheracerium itjilik in its forested lake habitat, Devon Island.

(photo credit: Illustration: Julius Csotonyi)

Nature Ecology and Evolution published the first scientific description of Epiatheracerium itjilik, a small hornless rhinocerotid that lived in Canada’s High Arctic during the Early Miocene, about 23 million years ago. “The addition of this Arctic species to the rhino family tree now offers new insights to our understanding of their evolutionary history,” said Danielle Fraser, head of paleontology at the Canadian Museum of Nature, according to Popular Science.

About 75 percent of the skeleton was recovered from lake deposits inside the 23-kilometre-wide Haughton Impact Crater on Devon Island, Nunavut. The late Mary Dawson of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History first recognized the bones in 1986; they were prepared in Pittsburgh and later transferred to the Canadian Museum of Nature, where they are now curated.

Based on moderate cheek-tooth wear, the specimen represented an early- to mid-adult. It stood roughly one metre at the shoulder, lacked a horn, and had a narrow snout that pointed to shrub browsing. Pollen from the same strata indicated larch, willow, spruce, and birch forests around the crater lake, where warm summers gave way to snowy, dark winters. Fraser told CBC News she asked the illustrator “to make the rhino look like a pony in winter,” adding that the animal likely carried dense fur.

The species name comes from the Inuktitut word itjilik, meaning frosty, a choice reached after consultation with Inuit elder and former Grise Fiord mayor Jarloo Kiguktak. “The choice of the name is a recognition of the territory and Inuit culture, which for generations have preserved these extreme lands rich in natural history,” said Fraser, according to La Stampa. Permits were issued by the Government of Nunavut with the consent of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, and field logistics were provided by the Polar Continental Shelf Program.

Most bones lay within an area of about five to seven square metres. Freeze-thaw cycles continue to expose fragments, allowing later expeditions led by Marisa Gilbert to collect additional material. “The remarkable thing about the Arctic rhinoceros is that the fossil bones are in excellent condition. They are three-dimensional and were only partially replaced by minerals,” said Gilbert, according to Scinexx. 

Researchers extracted protein residues from the tooth enamel, extending by millions of years the window for retrieving evolutionary information from ancient proteins. “The findings open new avenues for the study of ancient proteins and their application to understanding mammal evolution,” wrote the study team, which included Natalia Rybczynski of the Canadian Museum of Nature and Carleton University. The work was funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the W. Garfield Weston Foundation. 

Fraser’s group placed Epiatheracerium itjilik among 57 other rhinoceros species in an updated family tree and modeled the animals’ movements between Europe and North America. Their results suggested that the Arctic form and its close European relatives crossed a North Atlantic land bridge, possibly aided by seasonal ice, about 20 million years ago. “It’s always exciting and informative to describe a new species… the North Atlantic played a much more important role in their evolution than previously thought,” said Fraser, according to a press release published on EurekAlert. “At different periods in time… there may have actually been some ice there in winter that allowed them to cross,” she noted. 

During the Miocene, Devon Island supported horses, camels, saber-toothed predators, and the walking seal ancestor Puijila darwini, yet Epiatheracerium itjilik remains the only large mammal recovered from Haughton Crater so far. “More broadly, this study reinforces that the Arctic continues to offer up new knowledge and discoveries that expand on our understanding of mammal diversification over time,” added Fraser.

Field teams plan to return to Devon Island with the backing of local Inuit authorities and federal and territorial agencies. “That’s pretty interesting and pretty exciting,” said Jaelyn Eberle of the University of Colorado Boulder.

Written with the help of a news-analysis system.

Discovery of an extinct rhino from Canada’s High Arctic

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Defense News: Lockheed Martin, Saildrone to advance armed USV capabilities for US Navy

 Lockheed Martin, Saildrone to advance armed USV capabilities for US Navy

The companies will collaborate with the goal of delivering integrations, including on-water, live-fire demonstrations in 2026.

By Anna Ahronheim, Jerusalem Post, October 29, 2025

https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-872082

                       Saildrone and Lockheed Martin team up (photo credit: Saildrone)

Lockheed Martin is investing $50 million in Saildrone to accelerate the deployment of armed, long-endurance unmanned surface vessels (USV) capable of operating across all maritime domains.

Saildrone USVs have been accomplishing complex maritime missions since 2013, logging over 2 million nautical missions. First deployed by the US Navy in 2021, they are currently operational and working alongside American Sailors in combat theaters around the world. 

By integrating Lockheed Martin’s advanced defense payloads, the company’s platform will transition from intelligence and surveillance roles to lethal military applications.

“With our technology proven, de-risked, and mission-ready, now is the right time to augment Saildrone USVs with sophisticated payloads to meet warfighter needs,” said Saildrone founder and CEO Richard Jenkins in a statement. 

“This collaboration will give Saildrone the tools we need to transform the capabilities of our platforms, to include electronic warfare, anti-submarine warfare, [and] sophisticated surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as deploying kinetic effects, all seamlessly integrated with Lockheed Martin’s trusted command, control, and fire control systems.”

A Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vessel

Lockheed Martin’s strategic role

Lockheed Martin brings decades of experience in naval weapons systems and sensor integration. According to the press release, the security, defense, and aerospace contractor will collaborate with Saildrone to accelerate the manufacturing of new larger platforms and integrate its payloads onto a variety of platforms. Lockheed Martin is also investing in its existing products to facilitate fully autonomous operations. 

“Together, we are combining the most sophisticated commercial and defense technologies to deliver a lethal naval solution at speed and scale. The nation needs this capability to maintain dominance over our adversaries, and we will deliver it,” said Stephanie C. Hill, president of Rotary and Mission Systems at Lockheed Martin.

Lockheed Martin’s strategic role

Lockheed Martin brings decades of experience in naval weapons systems and sensor integration. According to the press release, the security, defense, and aerospace contractor will collaborate with Saildrone to accelerate the manufacturing of new larger platforms and integrate its payloads onto a variety of platforms. Lockheed Martin is also investing in its existing products to facilitate fully autonomous operations. 

“Together, we are combining the most sophisticated commercial and defense technologies to deliver a lethal naval solution at speed and scale. The nation needs this capability to maintain dominance over our adversaries, and we will deliver it,” said Stephanie C. Hill, president of Rotary and Mission Systems at Lockheed Martin.

The deal reflects a broader shift in defense strategy, in which autonomy is increasingly central to operational effectiveness. Recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Red Sea have accelerated the adoption of unmanned maritime systems, 

During the Russia-Ukraine War, Ukraine has used USVs and drone swarms to damage and even destroy Russian ships in port and at sea. The Houthis have also deployed UAVs and USVs with notable impact.

There is a growing recognition within the defense sector that maritime autonomy is critical to maintaining strategic advantage, particularly in regions where access and visibility are limited. Defense organizations are investing in new approaches to secure maritime environments, including technologies that can respond faster and operate with greater independence.

Production and deployment timeline

According to Lockheed Martin, work will begin immediately to modify Saildrone's 72-foot-long (22 meters) Surveyor ship, applying an open architecture approach, along with a secure command and control capability to integrate Lockheed Martin’s JAGM Quad Launcher (JQL) system onto the platform.

JAGM Quad Launcher – First‑Time Launch & Direct Hit!

Larger Saildrone vehicles that are already in development will support significantly larger payloads and capabilities to include the Lockheed Martin Mk70 VLS launcher and thin line towed arrays.

Lockheed Martin at SNA 2025: LCS with MK 70 launcher

The companies will collaborate with the goal of delivering integrations, including on-water, live-fire demonstrations in 2026.

Saildrone’s existing fleet of USVs will continue to support oceanographic and surveillance missions, while the new armed platforms will expand the Navy’s operational reach and deterrence capabilities.

U.S., UK Navies Conduct Unmanned Exercise in Arabian Gulf

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Science News: How old are you really? New AI tool reveals your body’s true age - Study

 How old are you really? New AI tool reveals your body’s true age - Study

Although chronological age is the most commonly used measure, it doesn’t capture the individual complexities of aging.

By Esther Davis, Jerusalem Post, October 27, 2025

https://www.jpost.com/science/article-871702

                                                    The aging process (photo credit: SHUTTERSTOCK)

Researchers at Edith Cowan University (ECU) have recently developed a new way to measure biological age and find out how old you really are, and it might not be what you’d expect. 

Whilst we generally measure age as chronological, i.e., how many years since you were born, the researchers have created an AI tool called AlphaSnake, which tracks your body’s age and can be used to help spot people at risk of age-related diseases earlier.

The study has been peer-reviewed and achieves 85% accuracy in predicting a person’s age. It found that the difference between a person's predicted and actual age (known as delta age) was associated with age-related health markers, such as cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Co–author of the paper, Dr. Xingang Li, explained that although chronological age is the most commonly used measure, it doesn’t capture the complexities of aging at the individual level. 

The study acknowledges that not everyone is aging at the same rate, as “In reality, some individuals remain healthy until into their 80s and 90s, whereas others may experience age-related decline much earlier.”

How did they do it?

By taking plasma samples from a group of 302 middle-aged individuals, the researchers were able to analyse markers in the body, including genetic, nutritional, disease-related, and general health factors, to create a comprehensive image of the subject’s biological age.

They then built two predictive models from the data and used them to estimate biological age. The biological and chronological ages were compared, and they found that the difference, delta age, could be used to predict risk for age-related health conditions.

The models hypothesized that combining the predictive features from each model would yield the optimal predictive feature set. 

As a result, the researchers combined the two predictive models into one, known as AlphaSnake.

What did they find?

The age predicted from the analysed feature set can serve as an accurate measure alongside chronological age. 

The delta age for the data is associated with blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels. A positive delta age can be interpreted as reflecting more rapid biological aging, whilst a negative delta age shows slower biological aging. 

This information can be used to predict who is at heightened risk of age-related disease, allowing doctors to more accurately inform patients’ medical care. 

Co-author Dr. Islam said, “By measuring biological age and not just looking at someone’s birthdate, it could be very useful to better understand their health. If we know in advance, then we can change our lifestyle to better act on preserving our health and help prevent some of the damage our body may have experienced.” 

The ECU team hopes that AI-driven biological age testing could soon become a regular part of medical check-ups - helping doctors predict diseases before they develop.

Face Age: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tool Uses Face Photos to Reveal Biological Age

Keep Young And Beautiful - Abe Lyman (with vocal trio) 1934

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Health and Wellness News: Is the early darkness depressing you? These foods will improve your mood

Is the early darkness depressing you? These foods will improve your mood

After the clock change, many of us are expected to feel increased melancholy. But what many don’t know is that there are foods that can improve our mood.

By Karen Zamsky, Clinical Dietician, October 26, 2025

https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/nutrition/article-871652

                                                      Sweet potato (photo credit: SHUTTERSTOCK)

Not many are aware, but our diet has a profound effect not only on the body but also on the mind. In an era of high stress levels—and even more so for those experiencing symptoms of post-trauma—daily food choices can support emotional balance, proper sleep, and reduced feelings of stress and anxiety. And in winter, even more.

In situations of prolonged mental stress, the body secretes stress hormones (such as cortisol), which affect the nervous system, appetite, and emotional state. An unbalanced diet that is rich in sugars, caffeine, and processed foods can exacerbate feelings of fatigue, irritability, and even depression. In contrast, balanced eating can serve as a supportive therapeutic tool.

Which foods can help?

Foods rich in tryptophan: Aan amino acid essential for the production of serotonin, also known as the “happiness hormone.” You can find it in tofu, fish, oats, bananas, pumpkin seeds, and yogurt.

Omega-3: Essential fatty acids for the brain, which may help reduce depression and anxiety. The main sources: cold-water fish (such as salmon), walnuts, and flaxseeds.

Complex carbohydrates: Such as quinoa, sweet potato, buckwheat, and oats. They provide stable energy and improve the absorption of tryptophan in the brain.

Magnesium and B vitamins: Magnesium helps relax muscles and promotes better sleep. It can be found in leafy greens, almonds, natural cocoa, and legumes. B vitamins contribute to the functioning of the nervous system and are found in whole grains, eggs, and vegetables.

It’s important to remember that in most cases, the absorption of vitamins and minerals from food is better compared to supplements that contain them. There is also a risk of overdose when taking supplements and the possibility of undesirable interactions with medications. The bottom line: Supplements are not a substitute for a balanced diet—it is advisable to consider taking them in consultation with a professional.

So what should be reduced? Caffeine and alcohol can impair sleep quality and increase feelings of anxiety. Simple sugars cause “energy crashes” and sometimes mood swings.

                                                Yogurt with Fruit and oats (credit: SHUTTERSTOCK)

What should you eat before bedtime, and what not?

To help promote restful sleep, it is recommended to choose a light meal about one to two hours before bedtime. Here are a few examples:

• Natural yogurt with oats and banana

• A slice of whole-grain bread with avocado or almond butter

• A handful of unsalted nuts and a piece of fruit

• A warm infusion of chamomile, lemon balm, or lavender (caffeine-free)

What should you avoid before bedtime?

• Coffee, black tea, cola, dark chocolate – contain caffeine

• Heavy, fatty, or spicy meals (especially when eaten late, close to bedtime)

• Drinking alcohol – may cause drowsiness at first but impairs sleep quality

• Foods rich in sugar – may cause increased alertness

In conclusion, nutrition has real power to influence our sense of calm, mood, and sleep quality. Even if nutrition is not a substitute for psychological treatment, it can certainly serve as an integral part of a supportive framework and strengthen us from within, in every sense.

The author is a dietitian at Maccabi Healthcare Services, Southern District.

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Defense News: Vertical-lift revolution: Shield AI unveils groundbreaking autonomous combat jet

 Vertical-lift revolution: Shield AI unveils groundbreaking autonomous combat jet

Defense tech startup’s X-BAT drone could reshape aerial warfare with runway-independent operations and autonomous combat systems

By Anna Ahronheim, Jerusalem Post, October 23, 2025

https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-871359

                                             Shield AI's X-Bats take off artist illustration (photo credit: Shield AI)

Amid growing tensions with adversarial powers in multiple theaters, American defense tech startup Shield AI has unveiled its latest unmanned aerial system, the X-BAT unmanned autonomous fighter jet with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities.

The X-BAT is a Group 5 unmanned aerial vehicle featuring a low-signature airframe design paired with Shield AI’s “Hivemind” software to enable collaborative, AI-enabled flight. 

The unmanned aircraft has a jet engine, a 2,000-mile range, can fly up to 50,000 feet and has the ability to take off and land vertically (V-TOL), enabling it to operate in remote locations without a runway. This capability means the X-BAT could launch from naval vessels, remote outposts, or forward operating bases, a significant advantage in regions where infrastructure is limited or under threat.

The X-BAT features a compact footprint, with up to three aircraft fitting in the deck space of one legacy fighter or helicopter, multiplying sortie generation and tempo. The 26-foot-long aircraft spans nearly 40 feet and features a tailless blended wing body design optimized for reduced radar signature.

The multirole platform is designed for strike missions, counter-air operations, electronic warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions and more. It is being built to be able to carry air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions.

                                                                        Shield AI's X-Bat (credit: Shield AI)

According to a report in Defense One,  the company is working with Pratt & Whitney and General Electric on F100 or F110 engines that could be installed in the X-BAT. 

The platform’s Hivemind AI system enables X-BAT to autonomously penetrate contested battlespace, dynamically team with manned aircraft, and execute collaborative tactics without constant communications, a critical feature in GPS-jammed and communications-denied environments that are increasingly common in modern conflicts.

Revolutionary capabilities for modern warfare

Armor Harris, senior vice president of aircraft at Shield AI said that X-Bat’s VTOL, range and multirole capabilities along with its autonomy is a “revolution in airpower…VTOL plus range solves survivability on the ground and dependence on tankers. Multirole provides critical flexibility as the threat evolves, because no plan survives first contact with the enemy. X-Bat’s ability to autonomously operate standalone or collaboratively allows it to project power when other assets aren’t around and simplifies kill chains.”

Shield AI is one of two vendors along with RTX providing drone mission autonomy for the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, underscoring the Pentagon’s confidence in the company’s autonomous flight technology as Washington seeks to maintain military superiority.

Shield AI plans to conduct its first VTOL flights in fall 2026 and then full mission capability flights in 2028. The company says it’s on track to produce the X-BAT for around $27 million, dramatically less than traditional fighter jets and similar in price to other Collaborative Combat Aircraft platforms.

Strategic implications for regional security

“At Shield AI, we believe the greatest victory requires no war. To make that belief real, we’re executing a simple but ambitious master plan: prove the value of autonomy, scale it across domains, and reimagine airpower,” said Brandon Tseng, Shield AI co-founder, president, and former Navy SEAL. “X-BAT represents the next part of our plan, expanding US and allied warfighting capacity through a transformative, runway-independent aircraft. Airpower without runways is the holy grail of deterrence. It gives our forces persistence, reac,h and survivability, and it buys diplomacy another day.”

The technology holds particular relevance for regional security challenges. In contested environments where fixed airbases present high-value targets, the X-BAT’s runway-independent operations could enable sustained air operations even after traditional infrastructure is compromised. The platform’s autonomous capabilities also reduce risk to pilots while maintaining combat effectiveness.

Shield AI announced the unveiling of X-BAT, an AI-piloted, vertical takeoff and landing fighter jet designed for expeditionary and maritime operations in contested environments, this week. (Photo: Shield AI)

America Unveils X-BAT, the Future Loyal Wingman with a Range of 3,700 Km

We Saw A New AI-Piloted Fighter Drone About To Transform Warfare

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Defense News: U.S. to Double B-2 Stealth Bomber Fleet Following Strike in Iran

 

U.S. to Double B-2 Stealth Bomber Fleet Following Strike in Iran

The aircraft carries up to 27,000 kilograms of ordnance in internal bays, allowing it to maintain a low profile even during strikes

By Ami Rojkes Dombe, Israeldefense,co  21/10/2025

https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/66592

                       B-2 Bomber - U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Hastings

The United States is expected to double its fleet of B-2 stealth bombers, with an addition of 28 new aircraft. The decision was made following the strike carried out by the U.S. Air Force in Iran last summer, which served as a milestone for assessing the aircraft’s operational capabilities.

During his visit to Israel on October 13, President Donald Trump stated that the bombers had proven themselves to be an essential strategic tool, particularly thanks to their ability to operate for long durations and carry advanced munitions. “They demonstrated impressive performance in the strike in Iran, and we will expand the fleet accordingly,” he said.

Members of B-2 bomber team recall strikes on Iranian nuclear sites

According to a report by World Defense News, security analysts estimate that a plan to significantly expand the bomber fleet is already being finalized in Washington. Originally, the U.S. Air Force was planned to operate 132 aircraft of this type, but after the end of the Cold War the number was reduced to just 21, based on the view that their primary role was nuclear deterrence.

During the strike in Iran, which took place last June, B-2 bombers took off from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and flew missions that lasted up to 37 continuous hours, with multiple aerial refuelings. The bombers struck strategic targets inside Iran using GBU-57 penetrating bombs. The aircraft belong to the 509th Bomb Wing, considered one of the U.S. Air Force’s premier units.

The bomber’s stealth is achieved through a smooth, bump-free aerodynamic design and the use of special radar-absorbing coatings. The aircraft can carry up to 27,000 kilograms of ordnance in internal bays, allowing it to maintain a low radar profile even while conducting strikes.

The Pentagon plans to operate the bomber wing operationally around the world at least through 2032, as part of an overall posture to meet the strategic challenges of the coming decade.

President Trump Orders 28 New B-2 Stealth Bombers After Successful Strike on Iran's Nuclear Site

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