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We got a sneak peek of the final space shuttle set to go on public display

24 June 2026 at 15:04

There are some sights in this world that no photograph can truly capture.

Think of the rolling ribbons of the aurora in the northern and southern skies, the depth and breadth of the Grand Canyon, or the sense of immersion when diving on the Great Barrier Reef. Astronauts will tell you that not even large-format cameras can truly capture the blackness of outer space or the majesty that is our planet as seen from orbit or beyond.

It's not every day that a new one of those sights debuts. But such will be the case on Friday, November 13, when the California Science Center in Los Angeles finally reveals the launch-pad-like display of the space shuttle Endeavor inside the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.

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© California Science Center/Mike Kelley

Asylum Accommodation is Ripping off the Taxpayer 

24 June 2026 at 15:03

Asylum accommodation costs have more than trebled to over £15 billion and made a billionaire out of Clearsprings owner Graham King. This scandalous racket needs to end, says Madeleine Gillies.

The post Asylum Accommodation is Ripping off the Taxpayer  appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

A “Magical” Ancient Curse Artifact Turned Up in an Unexpected Location—and in the Wrong Language

24 June 2026 at 14:19

A “cursed” ancient Roman tablet, intended to invoke divine and demonic wrath upon one’s enemies, has been deciphered by researchers at Heidelberg University in Germany.

The magical lead tablet, originally discovered by Dutch archaeologists in the Netherlands, was crafted in the second century AD. Strangely, it is written in ancient Greek, although in an Egyptian style, rather than the Latin that would be expected for what was then a Roman province of Lower Germania.

Today, the excavation site within the city of Heerlen in the southeast of the Netherlands, near the German border, is home to the country’s largest ancient Roman ruins.

Curse Tablets

The object is not entirely unique, as it belongs to a category of curse tablets called katadesmoi in Greek and defixiones in Latin. The Greeks and Romans believed that cold, heavy iron was especially useful in binding supernatural entities, making it the go-to material for crafting such objects.

As this artifact’s material was both cold and heavy, it reminded ancient people of the bleak underworld. Additionally, lead is also easy to work with in practice, as it is both inexpensive and easy to inscribe.

These small tablets were typically inscribed with curses and then buried, with the intention of bringing misfortune upon rivals in matters of sport, law, or love.

At the time the tablet was created, Heerlen was a Roman military settlement known as Coriovallum. Dutch archaeologists unearthed the 9.3-by-4.8-centimeter katadesmos from a pit beneath the former town square.

Deciphering an Ancient Curse

Researchers at the University of Heidelberg’s Institute for Papyrology used reflectance transformation imaging, a technique that combines photographs taken under different lighting conditions to enhance subtle surface details. Their analysis revealed three distinct types of characters within the inscription.

The combination of Egyptian-style invocations of deities and demons written in ancient Greek is highly unusual for a region where Latin was the dominant written language. Also notable are three symbols known as “Characteres”—magical symbols believed to facilitate communication with supernatural entities—along with two male and two female names.

Dr. Rodney Ast, Academic Director of the Institute for Papyrology, suggests that these four individuals were either the targets of the curse or those on whose behalf it was created. However, Dr. Julia Lougovaya, a research associate at the institute, notes that the male names are Latin while the female names are Greek, a distinction that may hold additional significance.

“It cannot be ruled out that one of the two women was the author of the inscription and had brought the supposed ability to communicate with divine powers through such curses with her from Roman Egypt,” said Dr. Lougovaya.

Ancient Magical Practices

Magic played an important role in Egyptian society, where rituals aimed at healing and protection formed a visible part of religious life, while malicious spells were typically practiced more discreetly.

“In the early centuries A.D., Near Eastern, Egyptian, Jewish, and sometimes even Christian traditions increasingly merged and spread throughout the entire Roman Empire of that time – a development that the discovery from Heerlen impressively underscores,” explained Prof. Joachim Quack, Director of the Institute for Egyptology at Heidelberg University.

A forthcoming scholarly publication will provide the full transcription of the inscription and details of the analysis. The tablet is also scheduled to go on display at a museum in Heerlen in the future.

Ryan Whalen covers science and technology for The Debrief. He holds an MA in History and a Master of Library and Information Science with a certificate in Data Science. He can be contacted at ryan@thedebrief.org, and follow him on Twitter @mdntwvlf.

Slate Auto’s electric truck starts at $24,950 with 205 miles of range

24 June 2026 at 14:15

Slate Auto, the EV startup backed by Jeff Bezos, finally revealed pricing for its bare-bones electric truck today: $24,950 to start. The company opened preorders the same day.

Slate also boosted the base model’s estimated range from 150 miles to around 205 miles, making the price look even better against a US new-car market where almost nothing starts under $30,000.

Fusobacterium periodonticum Spurs Colorectal Cancer via Decanoic Acid

24 June 2026 at 11:02

In a groundbreaking study published in Nature Communications, researchers have illuminated a critical link between Fusobacterium periodonticum and the progression of colorectal cancer, unveiling a complex biochemical pathway that involves decanoic acid-mediated neutrophil chemotaxis. This discovery adds a significant piece to the puzzle of how microbial influences within the gut microenvironment contribute to tumorigenesis, potentially opening new avenues for targeted therapies against colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer is among the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide, and although genetic factors and lifestyle influences have been extensively studied, the role of the gut microbiota has only recently come to the forefront. The study conducted by Jia, Jiang, Gong, and colleagues delves deeply into the mechanistic interactions between a specific bacterial species, Fusobacterium periodonticum, and the host immune landscape, highlighting a novel metabolic crosstalk that accelerates tumor development.

Fusobacterium periodonticum, traditionally associated with oral biofilms and periodontal disease, has increasingly been detected in colorectal cancer tissues, but its precise role in cancer biology remained unclear until now. The researchers demonstrate that this bacterium secretes decanoic acid, a medium-chain fatty acid, which acts as a chemoattractant, mobilizing neutrophils to the site of tumor inception. Neutrophils, while pivotal in innate immunity, paradoxically can induce pro-tumorigenic inflammation under certain conditions.

By employing an integrative approach combining metagenomic analyses, metabolomics, and in vivo murine models, the team traced the cascade from bacterial colonization to immune recruitment and revealed that decanoic acid engages specific chemokine receptors on neutrophils. This interaction fosters a microenvironment rich in inflammatory mediators, growth factors, and oxidative stress, all of which potentiate malignant transformation and tumor growth.

The significance of neutrophils in cancer progression is increasingly recognized, but the finding that a bacterial metabolite directly drives neutrophil chemotaxis in the colorectal milieu establishes a new paradigm. Unlike conventional chemoattractants, decanoic acid appears to uniquely modulate neutrophil behavior, enhancing their recruitment and activation state, which in turn exacerbates tissue remodeling and genomic instability within epithelial cells.

This intricate host-microbe dialogue also implicates metabolic dysregulation as a driving force. The elevated levels of decanoic acid in the tumor microenvironment underscore how bacterial metabolism intersects with host pathways, creating conditions unfavorable for normal tissue homeostasis and favorable for neoplastic transformation. The researchers adeptly demonstrate that blocking the receptors responsive to decanoic acid attenuates neutrophil infiltration and reduces tumor burden in experimental models, underscoring therapeutic potential.

Further dissection of the immune milieu revealed that neutrophils recruited by decanoic acid secrete a spectrum of cytokines and chemokines that recruit additional immune and stromal cells, contributing to a chronic inflammatory state. This inflammation not only supports tumor cell proliferation but also promotes angiogenesis and suppresses adaptive immune responses, thereby facilitating immune evasion.

The clinical implications of these findings are manifold. Understanding the role of Fusobacterium periodonticum and its metabolic products in colorectal tumorigenesis invites consideration of microbiota-targeted interventions. Strategies such as selective antibiotics, probiotics to restore microbial balance, or small molecules that inhibit decanoic acid signaling might serve as adjuncts to conventional chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

Indeed, the intersection between microbial ecology and cancer biology posits a compelling narrative wherein microorganisms are not mere bystanders but active participants orchestrating complex pathophysiological processes. The decanoic acid-driven recruitment of neutrophils exemplifies how microbial metabolites can hijack immune mechanisms, turning protective responses into facilitators of malignancy.

Moreover, the identification of decanoic acid as a pivotal mediator expands the landscape of oncogenic metabolites beyond the commonly studied short-chain fatty acids, introducing medium-chain fatty acids as critical players in tumor-immune dynamics. This underscores the importance of integrating metabolomic profiling in cancer research to uncover previously underappreciated biochemical pathways.

From a diagnostic perspective, elevated decanoic acid or markers of neutrophil activation within colorectal tissues or patient serum samples might serve as biomarkers for early detection or risk stratification. The specificity imparted by the involvement of Fusobacterium periodonticum offers a microbiota-based signature that could refine personalized medicine approaches.

The authors highlight the translational potential of targeting the decanoic acid-neutrophil axis. For instance, developing receptor antagonists or neutralizing antibodies that mitigate neutrophil chemotaxis may diminish pro-tumor inflammation without compromising host defense. Such therapies could synergize with immunomodulatory agents to reinvigorate anti-tumor immunity.

Beyond colorectal cancer, these findings prompt reevaluation of Fusobacterium periodonticum’s role in other inflammatory or neoplastic conditions associated with mucosal surfaces. The paradigms unveiled here may be applicable to understanding microbiota-driven pathogenesis in other cancers or chronic inflammatory diseases, hinting at broader biomedical relevance.

The robust experimental framework of this study, which ranges from bacterial culture to patient-derived samples and genetically engineered mouse models, strengthens the causal link and positions it as a cornerstone for future investigations. The detailed mechanistic insights provide a platform for exploring combinatorial therapies that integrate microbial manipulation and immune modulation.

In sum, Jia et al. have charted a novel territory in cancer research by elucidating how a bacterial species long recognized for its role in oral health can influence colorectal carcinogenesis through a metabolite-mediated immune recruitment mechanism. This work exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary research bridging microbiology, immunology, and oncology to unravel complex disease processes.

As research continues to unravel the intricate dance between microbiota and host immunity, the elucidation of pathways like the decanoic acid-driven neutrophil chemotaxis reaffirms the critical role of the microbiome in health and disease. Ultimately, this knowledge holds promise for innovative cancer prevention strategies that target the microbial ecosystem alongside human cells.

The implications of this research resonate beyond the laboratory, raising compelling questions about dietary modulation, microbiome management, and personalized interventions that could transform cancer prognosis. Understanding the forces that drive tumorigenesis at the intersection of microbes and immune cells is not just an intriguing scientific pursuit but a critical step toward conquering a major human health burden.

Subject of Research:
The study focuses on the interaction between Fusobacterium periodonticum and neutrophil chemotaxis mediated by decanoic acid, with implications for colorectal tumorigenesis.

Article Title:
Fusobacterium periodonticum promotes colorectal tumorigenesis via decanoic acid-driven neutrophil chemotaxis.

Article References:
Jia, X., Jiang, L., Gong, Y. et al. Fusobacterium periodonticum promotes colorectal tumorigenesis via decanoic acid-driven neutrophil chemotaxis. Nat Commun (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-74591-y

Image Credits: AI Generated

NGSO trade association launches without industry giant SpaceX

24 June 2026 at 11:00
A composite image of 33 exposures captures reflective Starlink satellites, making them appear to streak over the sky of southern Brazil. Credit: NASA / Egon Filter

Amazon and several other non-geostationary satellite operators have formed a trade association to represent their fast-growing market, with SpaceX notably absent despite having by far the largest NGSO constellation.

The post NGSO trade association launches without industry giant SpaceX appeared first on SpaceNews.

The Truth About the “Brains Behind Burnham”

24 June 2026 at 07:00

"Is Miatta Fahnbulleh the brains behind Burnham?" asks the New Statesman this week, even coining the term "Fahnbullehism". No, says Charlotte Gill: it's the brains behind Fahnbulleh that we need to be looking at.

The post The Truth About the “Brains Behind Burnham” appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

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