Moon dust has arrived in the UK from China
The first samples of rock from the Moon brought back to Earth from a Chinese lunar mission in 2020 have arrived in the UK.The tiny grains, which have been described as "more precious than gold dust", are the first samples drilled from the Moon in nearly 50 years. They've now been offered to the UK on loan by China's space agency. Scientist Mahesh Anand was chosen to receive the samples so he and his team can carry out research on the super rare material. He's just one of seven experts from around the world selected to study the samples.
"Nobody in the world had access to China's samples, so this is a great honour and a huge privilege," said professor Mahesh Anand who travelled to China to collect the samples. He returned to the UK with the precious cargo in the safest place he could think of - his hand luggage.Professor Mahesh Anand and his team have a year to carry out their research on the dust. During that time, the researchers hope to answer fundamental questions about how the Moon formed and the early years of planet Earth.
How was the sample collected?
China collected the rocks on its Chang'e 5 space mission back in 2020. A robotic arm drilled into the soil to collect 2kg of material which was then brought back to Earth in a capsule. It was the first successful collection of a lunar sample since a Soviet mission in 1976 and China has now allowed researchers from other countries to find out more about the rare rock. "I very much hope that this is the beginning of a long-term collaboration between China and international scientists," Professor Anand said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
4 hours ago
- BBC News
African baobab tree blooms at Eden Project
A baobab tree from Africa has burst into flower at the Eden Project in flower may produce superfruit which are said to taste of a blend of melon and pineapple, according to the Eden is known as the Tree of Life as it can live for more than 3,000 years and provides food, shelter, clothing and medicine, the team seed for the 8m (26ft 3in) high tree was collected in Malawi in 1995 and thrives in dry, arid conditions. The Eden Project's chief executive Andy Jasper said: "It's incredible to see our African baobab flowering, especially here in the UK."We have five stunning baobabs in our Rainforest Biome, and this particular tree has been with us since the very beginning. "He added: "To witness it bloom as we approach our 25th birthday next year is something truly special to behold."The baobab flowers for a short time and horticulturalists at the eco charity will hand-pollinate the hope the plant will produce large velvety fruits which take between four and six months to mature, Mr Jasper said.
Times
10 hours ago
- Times
A robot surgeon? I'll put my money on that
T hank you for waiting, the robot will see you now. Nine in ten keyhole operations won't need a human surgeon in the room within the next decade, according to the NHS. One in five operations are already carried out by robots, guided remotely, to improve outcomes while cutting costs. Science fiction is becoming surgical fact because robotic-assisted surgery can mean smaller incisions, reduced scarring and quicker recovery. There's no need to take my word for it: Sir Jim Mackey, the chief executive of the NHS, said: 'We are using every tool to ensure patients get the best possible treatment. Expanding the use of new tech, such as robotic surgery, will play a huge part.' Wes Streeting, the health and social care secretary, added: 'I know how important this is. The NHS saved my life from kidney cancer with an operation led by a world-class surgeon being helped by a robot.'
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Daily Mail
How eating strawberries each day could help keep dementia at bay
The arrival of the first British strawberries of the year is always a treat. But now scientists have shown that as well as satisfying our tastebuds, they could help to ward off dementia too. Research has revealed that the fruit can boost the speed at which older people's brains process information. Age-related decline in cognitive processing speed is known to be a symptom of dementia – a disease which affects nearly 900,000 in the UK. The findings come as Britain prepares to enjoy one of its best strawberry crops in years. Shoppers have been told to expect giant berries twice the normal size after weeks of dry, sunny weather boosted growth. This is welcome news for a country which consumes a whopping 168,000 tons a year. Previous research has already shown that the chemicals known as flavonoids which strawberries contain can bolster heart health. And in the latest study, a team from San Diego State University in the US recruited 35 men and women in their 70s to see if the same effects could be seen in the brain. The scientists gave participants a freeze-dried strawberry powder, made with a handful of fresh berries, to mix in water and drink every day for eight weeks. They then repeated the experiment with a fruit-flavoured powder which contained none of the health-boosting ingredients found in strawberries. Researchers then got the volunteers to perform cognitive tests. They found a marked improvement in the brain's processing speed following consumption of the strawberry powder but little change with the fruit drink. Although there was little improvement in scores for memory tests after consuming strawberries, researchers said the change in processing capacity was significant. Slower processing speed is known to hamper people's driving skills and make financial decisions more difficult. The strawberries also helped to lower blood pressure and led to increased levels of disease-fighting antioxidants in the blood, the results published in journal Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases showed. The researchers said: 'Strawberry consumption may improve cognitive function and there is accumulating support for its effects on brain health.'
