Scientists Confirm Identity of Infamous, Centuries-Old Shipwreck
Scientists at the Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) have announced after more than 20 years of research that they have definitively identified the HMS Endeavour, one of the most famous shipwrecks of all time, The Guardian reported. However, the identification has led to some controversy with American scientists.
The Endeavour was sunk off the coast of Newport, Rhode Island, during the Revolutionary War, though no one knew the exact location for centuries. It wasn't until the late 1990s that researchers considered one of the wrecks off of Newport might be the Endeavour. In 2000, the ANMM began their investigation of the wreck, though only 15 percent of the ship was recovered from the bottom of the Atlantic.
After 25 years of work, ANMM researchers feel they have definitively proven that the Newport wreck is the HMS Endeavour. Citing the use of timber matches as well as site overlays on original designs and shipbuilding details, the ANMM called the results 'the culmination of 25 years of detailed and meticulous archaeological study on this important vessel. It has involved underwater investigation in the US and extensive research in institutions across the globe. This final report marks our definitive statement on the project.'
However, the Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project (RIMAP), a longtime collaborator on the research, has accused the ANMM of allowing 'Australian politics or emotions' to cloud the results. 'There are numerous questions that remain unanswered that could reverse such an identification,' said RIMAP director Kathy Abbass without elaborating.
Regardless of which country is correct, the ANMM has called for an immediate conservation of the vessel, citing the deterioration it's experienced over time due to marine life and other ecological factors.
Scientists Confirm Identity of Infamous, Centuries-Old Shipwreck first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 22, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Wire
29 minutes ago
- Business Wire
Susan G. Komen ® Invests Nearly $11 Million to Accelerate Breakthroughs in Breast Cancer Research
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Susan G. Komen ®, the world's leading breast cancer organization, announced today that it is awarding $10.8 million in new research grants that will help propel innovative science and deliver hope to those facing the disease. These research grants support 25 cutting-edge projects at 17 prestigious institutions — marking a powerful commitment to improving outcomes for people living with breast cancer today and in the future. 'We are proud to support these exceptional researchers who are pushing the boundaries of what's possible in breast cancer science,' said Paula Schneider, President and CEO of Susan G. Komen. 'Research saves lives, and now more than ever, we must invest in science that brings hope to patients — especially those facing the most aggressive forms of breast cancer.' Through this research investment, Komen is prioritizing the most pressing challenges facing patients, including metastatic breast cancer, health inequities and the need for more precise, personalized treatment strategies to improve care and outcomes for everyone impacted by breast cancer. Key Highlights of Komen's 2025 Research Investment: 54% of funding targets metastatic breast cancer — the most advanced stage of the disease, responsible for the nearly 43,000 deaths each year in the U.S. 50% focused on precision medicine to tailor treatments to each patient's unique biology. 21% invested in addressing disparities to eliminate inequities in breast cancer care and outcomes. 25 researchers funded, including 10 early-career investigators, representing the next generation of scientific leaders. 'Komen's commitment to breast cancer research comes at a pivotal time and will drive meaningful advances in our understanding of the disease and care of patients,' said Ann Partridge, M.D., M.P.H., Chief Scientific Advisor for Komen. 'By fueling science that is both innovative and inclusive, we're accelerating progress where patients need it most — while building a foundation for individualized care for all.' Komen is the largest nonprofit funder of breast cancer research outside the U.S. government, investing nearly $1.1 billion since its inception. Unlike many research institutions, Komen's work is powered entirely by the generosity of individual donors, corporate partners and community supporters. 'Investing in top scientific talent is one of the most powerful ways we can drive progress,' said Jennifer A. Pietenpol, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Advisor for Komen. 'Komen's commitment, especially to early-career researchers, cultivates a vibrant ecosystem where bold ideas and pioneering research can thrive, accelerating our path toward the cures we urgently seek.' REACHing Deeper into Research Advocacy Komen's commitment to research goes beyond funding — it includes empowering people to bring their lived experiences into the heart of science. Through its recently launched REACH (Research Education and Advocate Community Hub) initiative, Komen invites patients, survivors and co-survivors to become research advocates and help shape research. ShareforCures®, Komen's breast cancer registry, provides breast cancer patients and survivors with a new, secure and easy way to share health data to help accelerate breast cancer research. As Komen deepens its investment in research, the need for collaboration — between scientists, clinicians, advocates and patients — has never been greater. Through strategic funding, innovative patient-centric scientific programs, robust advocacy programs, education and patient support services, Susan G. Komen is leading the way so patients can benefit from scientific breakthroughs and receive the care they need to live longer, healthier lives. Recipients of Komen Grants Recipients of Career Catalyst Research Grants Chun-Kan Chen, PhD, MS, Washington University in St. Louis Miriam Jacobs, MD, Georgetown University Martina Molgora, PhD, MSc., H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Inc. Daniel O'Neil, MD, MPH, Yale University Claire Sathe, MD, JD, Columbia University Irving Medical Center Na Zhao, PhD, Baylor College of Medicine Recipients of Career Transition Awards Charles Dai, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital Avantika Gupta, PhD, MSc, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Alissa Michel, MD, Columbia University Irving Medical Center Veena Padmanaban, PhD, MS, The Rockefeller University Recipients of Leadership Grants Alan Ashworth, PhD, University of California, San Francisco Tuya Pal, MD, Vanderbilt University Medical Center Rulla Tamimi, ScD, MS, Weill Medical College of Cornell University Kornelia Polyak, MD, PhD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Christina Curtis, PhD, MSc, Stanford University School of Medicine Jeffrey Rosen, PhD, Baylor College of Medicine Tracy Battaglia, MD, Yale University Allison Kurian, MD, MSc, Stanford University School of Medicine Nancy Lin, MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Ben Ho Park, MD, PhD, Vanderbilt University Medical Center Jennifer Pietenpol, PhD, Vanderbilt University Medical Center Recipients of Opportunity Grants Filipa Lynce, MD, Dana Farber Cancer Institute Michele Cote, PhD, MPH, Indiana University Antonio Wolff, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Recipient of Scientific Strategy and Programs Grant Adrian Lee, PhD, University of Pittsburgh To learn more about Komen's research initiatives, visit To explore how you can get involved with REACH (Research Education and Advocate Community Hub), visit About Susan G. Komen ® Susan G. Komen ® is the world's leading nonprofit breast cancer organization, working to save lives and end breast cancer forever. Komen has an unmatched, comprehensive 360-degree approach to fighting this disease across all fronts and supporting millions of people in the U.S. and in countries worldwide. We advocate for patients, drive research breakthroughs, improve access to high-quality care, offer direct patient support and empower people with trustworthy information. Founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy's life, Komen remains committed to supporting those affected by breast cancer today, while tirelessly searching for tomorrow's cures. Visit or call 1-877 GO KOMEN. Connect with us on social at
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Cat Parasite Can Seriously Disrupt Brain Function, Study Suggests
Infection with a common parasite can seriously disrupt the brain function of intermediate hosts – potentially including humans – new research has found. Even when the number of neurons affected is relatively small, toxoplasmosis – infection with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii – strongly interferes with neuronal communication. That's revealed by a study involving mouse brain cells, some grown in a dish and some collected from living animals. Neurons infected with the parasite release fewer extracellular vesicles (EVs), tiny lipid-bound packets of proteins, nucleic acids, and metabolites that are used as a means of intercellular communication. It's a finding that carries a lot of weight in the debate on the behavioral impact of toxoplasmosis. Related: Parasites May Be Hijacking Evolution on Planet Earth "We found this disruption in EV signaling can interfere with how neurons and glial cells, especially astrocytes, maintain a healthy brain environment," says parasite immunologist Emma Wilson of the University of California Riverside School of Medicine. "Even a handful of infected neurons can shift the brain's neurochemical balance. This suggests that communication between neurons and supporting glial cells is not only critical, but also vulnerable to hijacking by parasites." T. gondii is a parasite known for wreaking behavioral changes – for better or worse – in its hosts. It likes to find a cell and nestle inside, and the types of cells it likes most are neurons, crossing the blood-brain barrier to get there. Once inside, the protozoan can hunker down for decades, just hanging out. It's one of the most successful parasites on the planet, and there are few warm-blooded species it can't invade. However, it can only reproduce in cats; research suggests that some of the behavioral changes exhibited by infected organisms are to force them into an increased likelihood of encountering cats, such as rodents suddenly wanting to seek out the smell of cat pee instead of avoiding it. Some studies have found that the evidence for such behavioral manipulation is circumstantial, and that we can't conclusively link these changes to the parasite. It's especially complicated for humans; behavior is complex, and it's difficult to attribute changes to any one cause. The new study isn't behavioral, but entirely based on physical evidence. The researchers infected mouse neurons with T. gondii, and carefully analyzed the production and content of EVs, comparing it against EV production in healthy, uninfected neurons. They found that not only was EV production reduced, the content of the packets was altered compared to those produced by healthy neurons. Since the role of EVs is to relay information between neurons and astrocytes, this had a knock-on effect: the astrocyte gene expression was also altered, resulting in increased production of specific immune signatures, and a decrease in a transporter that helps remove excess glutamate from the brain. Excess glutamate is linked to problems such as seizures and neural damage, complications that are known to arise from severe cases of toxoplasmosis. This suggests that we might be underestimating the impact of T. gondii. "The parasite may play a larger role in neurological and behavioral conditions than we previously thought," Wilson says. A shockingly large number of humans harbor T. gondii. It's mostly contracted from ingesting poorly prepared food, such as undercooked meat, or from interacting with cat feces. Prevalence rates reach as high as 80 percent in some parts of the world; in the US, an estimated 10 to 30 percent of the population is infected. Most people will never know about their little neural hitchhikers and will sail through life unaffected, but for some people – particularly infant, elderly, immunocompromised, and pregnant people – infection can become dangerous. The most effective prevention tools are to cook your meat thoroughly, wash your vegetables, and wash your hands carefully after handling kitty litter. Meanwhile, research such as Wilson's may help us better understand the parasites, and work on ways of protecting ourselves. "Our brains have built-in defenses that may recognize and respond to neurons infected by T. gondii," she says. "If we can learn how to support or enhance that process, we may be able to better protect people, especially the most vulnerable." The research has been published in PLOS Pathogens. New Treatment May Cure Severe Type 1 Diabetes, Study Finds Scientists Identify New Blood Group, And It's The World's Rarest Extreme Heat Wave Scorches The US: Here's How You Can Stay Safe
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Deadly fungus in Tutankhamun's ‘cursed' tomb can help fight cancer
The toxic fungus behind the 'curse' of Tutankhamun's tomb can fight cancer, scientists have found. Aspergillus flavus is a mould that often grows in long-sealed tombs and can trigger deadly breathing problems or allergic reactions in people with weakened immune systems. It is thought to be partly responsible for the deaths of several people who entered tombs, including Tutankhamun's in 1923, and the 15th-century Polish king Casimir IV Jagiellon's in 1973. Now scientists have found that its deadly spores are also lethal to leukaemia and are hoping to begin testing in animals, before eventually moving on to humans. 'Nature has given us this incredible pharmacy, it's up to us to uncover its secrets,' said Dr Sherry Gao, an associate professor in chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. 'Fungi gave us penicillin. These results show that many more medicines derived from natural products remain to be found.' Aspergillus flavus can lie dormant for centuries, only becoming active again once disturbed. It is known to grow on cereals, which were often sealed up as grave goods inside tombs. After archaeologists opened Tutankhamun's tomb a series of untimely deaths among the excavation team - including those of British patron Lord Carnarvon, George Jay Gould, the financier, and Egyptologist Arthur Mace - fuelled rumours of a pharaoh's curse. But experts later theorised that it could have been the fungus, which may have lain dormant for millennia. In the 1970s, a dozen conservationists entered the tomb of Casimir IV in Poland and within weeks, 10 of them had died. Later investigations revealed the tomb contained Aspergillus flavus. In the new study, scientists studied a dozen strains of Aspergillus to see if they produced anything that might be repurposed as a medicine. They discovered potent cancer-fighting molecules, which they named asperigimycins. Even with no modification, the asperigimycins showed strong medical potential against leukaemia cells. When researchers added a molecule found in the royal jelly - the substance that nourishes developing bees - the asperigimycins performed as well as cytarabine and daunorubicin, two drugs that have been used for decades to treat leukaemia. Through further experimentation, the researchers discovered that asperigimycins seem to work by disrupting the process of cancer cell division. 'Cancer cells divide uncontrollably,' added Dr Gao. 'These compounds block the formation of microtubules, which are essential for cell division.' The team also found that the cancer-fighting properties only seemed to work on leukaemia, and had little to no effect on other cancers such as breast, liver or lung cancer. The researchers identified similar clusters of genes in other fungi, suggesting that more potential drugs from fungi remain to be discovered. It suggests that natural remedies to individual cancers may be present already in nature and the scientists are keen to explore whether other fungi also produce similar molecules. 'Even though only a few have been found, almost all of them have strong bioactivity,' said Dr Qiuyue Nie, of the department of chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. 'This is an unexplored region with tremendous potential.' The research was published in the journal Nature Chemical Biology. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
