1. The Earth is spinning faster and faster
June 29 was the shortest day ever recorded by atomic clocks. If you haven’t noticed anything, that’s normal! The day in question lasted only 1.59 milliseconds less than the typical 24 hours. Several factors can vary the speed at which our planet rotates: the tidal forces, the climate and the melting of polar ice, or even the internal movements of our Earth’s atmosphere. Even the movement of our satellites. No scientist is certain as to the origin of the current acceleration, but some believe that it is linked to the Chandler Oscillation which results in an irregular movement of the geographic poles.
2. There is an immortal jellyfish
No one had managed to unlock the secrets of eternal life. But the discovery of Turritopsis dohrnii, also called “the immortal jellyfish”, is a game-changer. The key to youth is found in its DNA. Indeed, she can press the “replay” button as soon as she feels threatened by a predator, an injury or even hunger. It thus passes indifferently from the stage of larva to that of polyp. And thus reverse its aging process. A real leap in biological time! Thanks to Turritopsis dohrnii, the keys and limits of cellular plasticity have been discovered. From this knowledge, scientists hope to find better answers to the many age-related diseases that concern us today.
3.AI can detect cardiovascular accidents 5 years in advance
Artificial intelligence is definitely a fantastic tool when it is at the service of technology, astrophysics or health. Thus, if the doctors can visualize the plaques of atheroma – which constitutes the narrowing or the obstruction of the arteries – in order to evaluate the severity thanks to an angioscanner, they cannot however regularly have recourse to this technique. Indeed, the interpretation must be carried out by a specialist and requires up to half an hour. American researchers have thus succeeded in creating an artificial intelligence capable of analyzing the images of an angioscanner in five to ten seconds. Tested on more than 1,600 patients, the results of the Scot-Heart study were able to correctly predict the risk of heart attack. Although further studies are needed, their tool and a simple CT angiography could predict if a person is at risk of heart attack and when they are likely to do so, up to five years in advance.
4. The Swot satellite is a revolution for the climate
With a launch scheduled for next December, the SWOT satellite will make it possible for the first time to monitor the entire water cycle from lakes, through rivers to seas and oceans. The data will notably enable the commissioning of new prevention models for water-related natural disasters such as floods, storms, erosion of the coastline, but also models which make it possible to predict the risks of drought. This pioneering mission is the first global study of water on Earth and a huge step forward for better management of this resource. Scientists are eagerly awaiting these new data in order to have a better view of ocean circulation, which will allow them to better understand the global water cycle. And thus, refine their understanding of the role of the ocean at the global level in a context of climate change.
5. The Arctic is warming much faster than expected
Finnish and Norwegian researchers have reassessed the rate of warming in the region around the North Pole. This new study confirms that the Arctic has warmed nearly 4 times faster than the rest of the world over the past 40 years. Under the effect of global warming, temperatures are rising, melting the ice, triggering gigantic forest fires in the tundra region and profoundly modifying the environment of the animal populations that live there. But above all, this has a global impact on sea levels. Indeed, according to the IPCC, the sea level has risen by 20 cm since 1900. Depending on the scenarios, the oceans could still gain 40 to 85 cm by the end of the century.
Knowing the facts and mechanisms of the phenomena is therefore essential to better understand and protect them. From October 1 to 16, science fair is the ideal event to understand the great mysteries of the world around us. A topic that could not be more important, the climate will be honored this year.
In Antibes, don’t miss the village of science and innovation, the unmissable event to discover the research, expertise and know-how of the Sophia Antipolis technology park. In Grasse, find out if AI is really at the service of perfume creation or not! A round table with perfumery specialists and researchers not to be missed. The House of Artificial Intelligence opens its doors to you in Biot to understand, discover and experiment with this revolutionary technology.
At the heart of the Jardin Albert 1er in Nice, the science festival will host laboratories and research institutes from the Côte d’Azur, as well as numerous workshops and an exhibition dedicated to the climate. Games, debates, exhibitions and workshops await you at the agrosciences village of Sophia Antipolis and at the science village of Villeneuve Loubet. In Cannes, come and discover the mysteries of the planets and observe the sky through the telescope at nightfall. In Menton, the Regional Prehistory Museum awaits you for an exhibition on the earth and its climates. And thus understand that human activity has a real impact on climate change, while addressing the causes and consequences to act better.
In the hinterland of Nice, astronomy and climate will hold no secrets for you when you go to La Trinité. A supervised hike also offers you the opportunity to attend an “open sky evening”. On the program: discovery of the constellations and observation of the sky at the Astrorama. In the Vésubie Valley, go to Utelle, Cros d’Utelle, La Bollène, Belvédère, Lantosque, Saint Jean la Rivière, Saint Martin de Vésubie, Roquebillière and Venanson for many workshops, conferences, meetings, debates and games of all kinds. At Cros d’Utelle, you will be able to visit the international space station as if you were there! Finally, near the village of Sigale, conferences and animations will enlighten you on the micro and macro changes inscribed in the rock that can certainly explain the climatic upheavals of the moment.
These free festivities will be present from the coast to the hinterland in more than 22 municipalities in the Alpes Maritimes and will thus bring science into contact with as many people as possible. Whether you are young or old, awareness is essential today to think about a common future in a context of climate change.