protects

one creates cement, the other protects it

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Mars has become an obsession. Missions like those led by SpaceX demonstrate this and the truth is that going is the “simple” part. The really difficult thing is terraforming the planet to be able to carry out long-term missions in the field. In the movie ‘The Martian‘We already saw how an astronaut survived on Mars based on field-grown potatoes and, although it may seem like science fiction, we are already making progress on it. But we also need to build, and it is best to use Martian dust to create bricks. As? With the help of two bacteria. Biofoundation. Both the Moon and Mars are covered in dust. This mantle is made up of a series of elements that we can use to our advantage to create construction materials. It is much easier to figure out how to transform these materials into something useful than to carry kilos and kilos of materials from Earth, and in a study published in Frontiers in Microbiology addresses that problem. In it, researchers from the ‘Giulio Natta’ Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering of the Polytechnic of Milan describe the process of transforming Martian regolith into a concrete-like material through a process called biocementation. And the proposal is to use a duo of bacteria capable of carrying out this transformation. ‘Mason’ bacteria. The protagonists are the Sporosarcina pasteurii and the Choococcidiopsis and the key process of the technology is ‘Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation: a process by which microorganisms generate calcium carbonate at room temperature. In the case of the Sporosarcina pasteuriithe process is based on ureolysis. Thus, the bacteria produces the enzyme ureasewhich hydrolyzes urea into ammonia and carbonic acid. When released, it raises the pH of the environment, while carbonic acid dissociates into carbonate ions. When they combine with calcium ions present in the medium, they precipitate as calcium carbonate crystals on the bacterial cell walls and on soil particles. A confusing and technical explanation to say that they generate a waste that acts as a natural cement that joins the regolith particles Martian, transforming naturally loose dust into a compact material with compressive strengths similar to those of some concrete mixtures. BIOMEX. On the other hand, there is the Choococcidiopsis. It is one of the most resistant organisms we know – like the friendly tardigrades -. They are capable of surviving in conditions that simulate the Martian environment and, in fact, a few years ago the mission BIOMEX of the European Space Agency demonstrated that strains of this bacteria exposed without any shield for 18 months to both the vacuum of space and solar radiation were intact. Once they were rehydrated, they resumed their metabolic activities. This is important because we have already “proven” the Choococcidiopsis in space, and its role in this story is not because of its ability to convert regolith into concrete, the other one takes care of that, but because of its extreme resistance. What the researchers propose is an association between the two bacteria. Through photosynthesis, the Choococcidiopsis releases oxygen that creates a favorable microenvironment for the Sporosarcina pasteurii Do your job while, in turn, providing favorable conditions for your companion’s survival in the hostile Martian environment. Defensive arsenal. That is, while one works, the other provides food and defense. And, really, the defensive arsenal of the Choococcidiopsis It is imposing. As if it were the armor of a state-of-the-art tank, it has three lines of defense: The first is formed by extracellular polymeric substances that form a thick layer that filters almost 70% of UVA radiation, almost 70% of UVM radiation and almost 90% of UVC. The second line consists of antioxidants that bind to the outer membrane to act as a photoprotector, neutralizing the reactive oxygen species generated by radiation. And the third defense includes UV filters. As if that were not enough, Choococcidiopsis can self-repair its DNA if it is damaged by radiation. Beyond construction. It is resistant and resilient, but before launching flying bells and bacteria to Mars, the team itself details that you have to go step by step. Although different agencies want to build the first human habitat on Mars in the 2040s, it is no longer just that building on the planet is a problem: the question of how these pioneers will return must be answered with guarantees. There are plenty of projects underway to learn how to build and farm on Mars by imitating the planet’s characteristics. At the moment, they are demonstrating that Martian material can be converted into construction material, but there is still a long way to go, such as replicating Martian conditions on Earth to optimize these construction processes. And discoveries such as the work of these bacteria together can lead not only to novelties in terms of construction, but also to potential uses of the capabilities of some of them to produce oxygen on Mars or even use the by-products they discard as an element for crops in space. Ammonia, for example, which could be used as fertilizer for crops. Images | T. Darienko, Interstellar Lab In Xataka | All the resources we can potentially extract from the Moon, illustrated in this revealing graphic

Raise a wall that protects the entire continent, but instead of concrete, drones

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In recent weeks, a Succession of incursions of drones and airplanes Russians About the heavens From Poland, Romania, Estonia, Denmark and Norway has evidenced the vulnerability of European airspace. The violations have forced to close civil airports, activate NATO fighters and use missiles to tear down devices whose price is just a fraction of the projectiles thrown against them. The alarm has spread from the Baltic to the Atlantic, and in Europe it has taken strength An idea: The answer must be a coordinated effort on the continental scale. The concept “Drones Wall”. Yes, under the impulse of the European Commissioner of Defense, Andrius Kubilius, the idea of A “drone wall” that protects all of Europe in the face of Russian threat. The initiative raises a multilayer system with radars, acoustic sensors, interception platforms, short -range anti -aircraft artillery and defensive drones, all connected to the network to share data in real time between countries. The objective is to achieve interoperability and common coverage that allows detect and neutralize drones In seconds. The project, which will be presented at the Copenhagen informal summit, extends beyond border countries with Russia to cover the entire continent, also integrating spatial capabilities in collaboration with the European Space Agency. Ukraine, the partner. A central aspect is the participation of Ukrainethat after more than three years of war has become the armed force more experienced In the world in defense against Drones swarms. Its manufacturers, supported by the immediate feedback of the front, They have developed industries capable of adapting designs in a matter of weeks, something that contrasts with the rigidity of the European arms industry. kyiv has offered Share knowledge, send technical teams to train NATO armies and participate in the joint development of systems. Several countries, including United Kingdom and Denmarkthey have already begun to weave industrial alliances with Ukrainian manufacturers to produce drones in common, aware that the future of air defense goes through a close integration with the innovative capacity of Ukraine. Politics, money and the EU. The drone wall project advances in parallel to a large -cut financial initiative: a 140,000 million loan from euros to Ukraine based on frozen Russian assets in the EU. Germany, who had been reluctant, has shown willingness to support The plan, convinced that without those funds It will be impossible Replace the void left by the American withdrawal. The formula would avoid direct confiscation of the funds, preserving international legality, but would allow Generate immediate resources to sustain the warlike ukrainian effort. Hungary, despite its proximity to Kremlin, It has not blocked So far the sanctions, but the fear of a veto forces Brussels to explore legal ways that raffle the need for unanimity. The interrelation between financing to Ukraine and the deployment of a continental drone shield underlines that European defense can no longer separate from kyiv’s survival. Berlin’s doubts. Despite the enthusiasm of Brussels and the East countries, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, He has cooled This week expectations. In his opinion, the idea that a wall of drones can be operational in three or four years, when the processes of acquisition and technological development are much slower. Pistorius insists on Prioritize flexible capabilitiesthat allow to adapt to a technology in constant evolution, rather than commit to a rigid and high cost concept. His words reflect a latent tension between those who demand speed and forcefulness, Like the Baltic or Polandand those who advocate prudence and financial sustainability, Like Germany. However, even the most skeptical coincide in the need to spend massively in anti -Didstock defense, even if it is outside the framework of a common wall. UK’s role: Project Octopus. In parallel, the United Kingdom has announced Your own contribution to a joint program with Ukraine, called Project octopusdestined to produce in British factories low -cost interceptors that can be manufactured in series and deploy in a matter of weeks. These devices, effective against The Iranian Shahedthey have a production cost ten times minor that the equivalent systems and could become the backbone of the short -range European air defense. London plans Share intellectual property with kyiv and supply the drones to both Ukraine and NATO countries, thus expanding their strategic influence. British involvement also seeks to compensate for its departure from the EU, showing that it remains a pillar of the European defense against Russia. New strategic balance. The initiative of the drone wall is framed in a broader context: progressive separation of the United Statesdriven by Trump’s policy. The partial abandonment of Washington has crystallized the evidence that the main military ally of Europe is no longer the United States, but Ukraine itselfwhich brings more than 700,000 active combatants, an agile arms industry and the determination to resist Moscow. Europe, therefore, aims to stop seeing kyiv as a mere consumer of military aid and starting to integrate it as a Security provider. The industrial agreements in drones are the first step of a symbiosis that could redefine continental defensive architecture. Between urgency and uncertainty. Under this scenario, Europe faces A crossroads: You need to act quickly to cover its vulnerabilities to Russian drones, but at the same time you must manage expectations and avoid financial or technological commitments that are unfeasible. The drone wall symbolizes EU’s will to build A common defenseinteroperable and sustained, but its success will depend on the ability to reconcile the demands of the eastern flank with the caution of the western nucleus. The Collaboration with Ukrainefinancing based on frozen Russian assets and British involvement They point to a future in which European security is built on its own pillars, or less dependent on the United States. In that transformation, drones do not seem only tactical tools: they have become the emblem of a Europe that desperately seeks shield his sky while redefine your place in the global strategic order. Image | Khamenei.ir, Nara, Rawpixel In Xataka | Russian drones are paralyzing airports in Europe. There is a background reason: 250,000 casualties in … Read more

Surfshark protects you on the Internet for less than three euros per month

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Keeping our data on the Internet is not as easy as it seems. Introduce personal data in portals can make them end up in the hands of criminals or scammers, to the point that suffering attacks from Phishing It is something relatively common. Having tools that protect us to the maximum is ideal, although it is not always easy to find them gathered. Surfshark does have them in its surfshark one plan. The best thing is that it only costs 2.69 euros a month. Surfshark One Subscription – Monthly * Some price may have changed from the last review Surfshark One Plan has VPN and much more This surfshark plan goes a step beyond its Starter subscription. Surfshark One includes the two tools that come in the aforementioned plan, or what is the same, its VPN that will serve to connect to the Internet safely (even in public networks such as those of the hotels) and ALTERNATIVE IDthat will create fictitious data so that we can use them on any website. In addition to these two tools, the Starter Plan comes with three more additional. The first one is called Alternative Numberwhich does the same as the previous one but with a phone number. In addition, we have Surfshark Alertwhat will do will let us know if a data filtration occurs on the Internet and our information appears in them. It is very useful, especially since the notification will come automatically without us having to do anything. Surfshark itself, in fact, has a scanner that allows us to check in real time If our email has been filtered on the Internet. It is very simple to use: it is enough to enter The page you have for this and enter our data. As we have advanced above, Surfshark One Cuesta 2.69 euros a month now that it is promoting. That means that two years of the complete service will cost us 72.63 euros, a discouragement if we take into account that its usual price is 484.65 euros. Also, there does not end the thing: We will receive three months extra giftso we will enjoy 27 months instead of 24. Some of the links of this article are affiliated and can report a benefit to Xataka. In case of non -availability, offers may vary. Image | Surfshark In Xataka | Why it is dangerous to connect to public wifis and what you should do to protect yourself In Xataka | Antivirus in Windows 11: What are, differences between free and payment and the best for your PC

A protein that protects us from baldness

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In recent years we have seen the rapid expansion of hair surgery as an effective way to fight hair loss, alopecia. However, we are still far from finding effective and efficient solutions, and that do not require passing through the operating room. MCL-1. Now, an international team of researchers has found a protein Linked to hair growth, a “guardian” against hair loss. The discovery opens a new route of research in the field of alopecia and capillary health. It is the MCL-1 protein, a protein belonging to the BCL-2 protein family. This group of protein performs An important role In cell apoptosis, programmed cell death. HFSC. The team detected the importance of these proteins in the functioning of the stem cells of the hair follicle or HFSC (HAIR Follicle Stem Cells). These cells regulate hair growth With its activation and inactivation. A fragile balance. Capillary growth depends on the work of these HFSC cells but also on their ability to start their apoptosis, their self -destruction, at the right time, giving way to new cells that continue their work. However, this is a fragile balance that can be broken when cell stress accelerate this scheduled death. According to the new work, MCL-1 proteins exercise a role of protectors of this balance. The absence of this unaction that includes the activation of the P53 genea sign of stress that ultimately carries cell death. In mice. The process was proven in mice. The team “deactivated” MCL-1 in these mice and then removed the animal’s hair in some areas of its skin. Thus observed the appearance of cell stress and activation of the P53 pathway. The result: the hair did not grow again. The details of the study were published In an article In the magazine Nature Communications. An upward market. Half -World Laboratories compete in the race for developing treatments that avoid hair loss. It is a career that promises a succulent prize: the hair loss industry already moves millions in surgeries and treatments capable of slow down the rhythm to which we lose hair. In addition, Ozempic’s success reminds us of the great economic potential of pharmacoesthetic. Today we have potential formulas, which include From the microarn (small RNA particles) even vaccines of messenger RNA (RNM) as those used in the fight against COVID; Going through the “cloning” of hair, a treatment that, although promising, also demands the passage through the operating room. In Xataka | The industry wants us not to fall hair never again. And it is getting closer to getting it Image | Kaboomps.com

It also protects you from phishing and data leaks

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Internet has become a vital tool, to the point that we spend several hours a day sailing. Doing doing it as surely as possible is vital to safeguard our data, especially now that there are so many data leaks or identity supplantations. Common sense can help us, although going to an additional tool is A movement that can save us more than one problem. One of the most outstanding is Kaspersky, especially its premium plan, reduced right now to the 34.99 euros a year. Kaspersky Premium – Annual * Some price may have changed from the last review Your safety and your family, at another level with Kaspersky Premium Kaspersky is a company that has been a reference for years in Internet security. It is true that its antivirus facet is almost always taken into account (both for PC and MacOS, iOS and Android), But the reality is that it offers much more. Especially if we take into account its Premium Kaspersky Plan, the most complete of all. One of the key points of this service is your call ‘Identity protection‘. Thanks to it, the service will detect when anyone tries to access our data remotely. In addition, we can also have a kind of Wallet Digital where to store our ID, the card or delicate information to avoid any type of identity theft. And that is not all, because we will also receive a notification if our data or telephone number appear in some data filtration. Speaking of identity and impersonation, it is also worth highlighting its’Antiphishing‘. It has a system capable of identifying links Phishing In emails or on web pages, automatically blocking those that it detects as fraudulent, thus avoiding clicking on one for an oversight. Kaspersky Premium – Annual * Some price may have changed from the last review This Kaspersky service normally has a price of 79.99 euros per year, but right now A 56 % discount that leaves it in the 34.99 euros a year we have mentioned previously for the first year. In addition, this subscription includes a free year of Kaspersky Safe Kids, ideal if we have children at home and we want their internet navigation and experience to be as sure as possible. And eye Some of the links of this article are affiliated and can report a benefit to Xataka. In case of non -availability, offers may vary. Images | Kari Shea in Unspash (with edition), Kaspersky In Xataka | Wi -Fi, configuration fund guide: everything you have to know to improve your connection In Xataka | These are the two things I recommend doing if you want to improve the safety of your accounts and you are not sure how to start

Discover how the licorice improves your digestion and protects the liver naturally

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From ancient times the Egyptians, the Romans and the Greeks used the licorice as home remedy To improve digestion, liver problems and colds, benefits that are backed by science today. This delicious plant Aroma is an ingredient in desserts, sweets and infusions and has a powerful sweetening capacity. As home remedy, The licorice is used to protect the liver, improve digestion and strengthen the immune system. RECOGNITION BENEFITS The licorice is used as a home remedy to relieve liver problems. Credit: Shuttersock Here are the benefits of this medicinal plant: Protect the liver: The licorice is rich in antioxidants and bioactive compounds that contribute to blocking the action of the hepatitis A. Glycirricin, an active principle of the licorice, helps eliminate toxins accumulated in the liver, improving liver function. Improve digestive processes: glycirrinine has anti -inflammatory and antacidal properties that helps the best functioning of the digestive system reliefing gastritis and it is effective to treat and prevent stomach ulcers. Drinking licorice infusion helps get these benefits. Strengthens the immune system: The active component of the licorice is effective glycirricin to protect the body’s cells and strengthen the immune system, to the point that can inhibit some viruses such as influenza, according to studies. Natural antiviral: The compounds derived from the licorice helps prevention and treatment of pneumonia by the influenza A virus, in treatments of HIV resistant to antiretroviral medications and patients with hepatitis, according to a study Posted in the Wiley Online. Relieve the cold: The licorice is effective to reduce the inflammations of the respiratory tract such as cough, the irritation of the throat and bronchitis, thanks to the combination of compounds with anti -inflammatory and expectorant properties. Anti -inflammatory effect: The active components of the licorice have antioxidant properties, ideal for fighting inflammation, relieving the joint pain of rheumatic pain such as arthritis and menstrual pains. Fight ulcers: The combination of bioactive compounds of the licorice, through glycirric acid and its derivatives, gives antiulceogenic properties, achieving a powerful combination that stimulates the production of gastric mucosa and cell proliferation of the stomach mucosa increases. Natural sweetener: The glycirric acid of the licorice has a high sweetest capacity that exceeds 50 times that of cane sugar, so it is used for dessert preparations and aromatizing sweets. The licorice contains components and substances strengthening of muscles and bones, as well as cutaneous softener, among other benefits, As we mentioned and highlights a study published by Elsevierspecialized in scientific research. Continue reading: (Tagstotranslate) Medicinal herbs (T) Medicinal plants

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