Latest news with #Near-Infrared
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Stunning new images from James Webb Telescope help unlock mysteries of Jupiter's glowing auroras
Auroras on Jupiter are hundreds of times brighter than those seen on Earth, new images from the James Webb Space Telescope have revealed. The solar system's largest planet displays striking dancing lights when high-energy particles from space collide with atoms of gas in the atmosphere near its magnetic poles, similar to how the aurora borealis, or the Northern lights, are triggered on Earth. But Jupiter's version has much greater intensity, according to an international team of scientists who analysed the photos from Webb taken on Christmas in 2023. Related Scientists use rocket to create artificial Northern Lights to better understand space weather Webb previously captured Neptune's glowing auroras in the best detail yet, many decades after they were first faintly detected during a flyby of the Voyager 2 spacecraft. Auroras on Earth are caused by charged particles from the Sun colliding with gases and atoms in the atmosphere near the planet's poles, causing streaks of dancing light in the sky. On Jupiter, additional factors are at play other than solar wind. High-energy particles are also drawn from other sources, including Jupiter's volcanic moon Io. Jupiter's large magnetic field then accelerates these particles to tremendous speeds, hundreds of times faster than the auroras on Earth. The particles slam into the planet's atmosphere, causing gases to glow. James Webb has been able to give more details about how they are formed on Jupiter due to its unique capabilities. The new data and images were captured with its Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) on December 25, 2023, by a team of scientists led by Jonathan Nichols from the UK's University of Leicester. Related What was this spiral captured amid the Northern Lights in the skies of Alaska? "What a Christmas present it was – it just blew me away!" said Nichols. "We wanted to see how quickly the auroras change, expecting them to fade in and out ponderously, perhaps over a quarter of an hour or so. Instead, we observed the whole auroral region fizzing and popping with light, sometimes varying by the second". The findings were published on Monday in the journal Nature Communications.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
There's Something Very Unusual About Jupiter's Auroras
NASA has just released stunning new images of auroras on Jupiter — and they're bigger and hundreds of times brighter than the northern lights on our puny world. The spectacular snapshots were captured by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, using its powerful infrared instruments. And the findings, published in a new study in the journal Nature Communications, are already providing astronomers with surprising new details about the gas planet's atmosphere. "It just blew me away!" lead author Jonathan Nichols, an astronomer from the University of Leicester in the UK, said in a statement about the work. "We wanted to see how quickly the auroras change, expecting them to fade in and out ponderously, perhaps over a quarter of an hour or so. Instead, we observed the whole auroral region fizzing and popping with light, sometimes varying by the second." On Earth, auroras are created when high-energy, electrically charged particles from the Sun barrage the atmosphere near its magnetic poles. This "excites" or heats up the gas molecules that are present in the air, causing them to glow in the ethereal curtains of red, green, and purple that we know as the northern lights. But the effect is even more intense on Jupiter, thanks to the influence of the gas giant's absolutely ungodly magnetosphere. At approximately 15 times wider than the Sun — and about 20,000 times stronger than the Earth's magnetic field — it's considered the largest structure in the solar system. With such awesome power, Jupiter's magnetosphere effortlessly pulls in and traps charged particles from not just the Sun, but from its volcanic moon Io. Io's frequent eruptions blast particles into space, where they're accelerated to head-spinning speeds by its host planet's magnetic field, before slamming into its atmosphere. There, they combine with the solar particles to create an enormous glow above the planet. These energetic interactions produce electromagnetic emissions, which include the light we see. After imaging Jupiter's auroras with the James Webb's Near-Infrared Camera instrument, Nichols and his team discovered that the emission from the molecule trihydrogen cation — one of the most abundant ions in the universe — is far more variable than once believed, which could change our understanding of how the planet's upper atmosphere heats and cools, according to NASA. In addition, the team simultaneously imaged the auroras with NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, revealing something even more puzzling. "Bizarrely, the brightest light observed by Webb had no real counterpart in Hubble's pictures," Nicholas explained in the statement. "This has left us scratching our heads. In order to cause the combination of brightness seen by both Webb and Hubble, we need to have a combination of high quantities of very low-energy particles hitting the atmosphere, which was previously thought to be impossible. We still don't understand how this happens." On the scent of something big, the team plans to study this discrepancy and gather follow-up observations with the James Webb and compare them with data from NASA's Juno space probe. More on Webb observations: James Webb Spots Disturbing Sight: Entire Planet Sinking Into Star
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Brain Computer Interface Market is Poised to Hit Valuation of US$ 11.20 Billion by 2033
The brain computer interface market is accelerating due to non-invasive accessibility, AI-driven diagnostics, and metaverse integration. Healthcare demand and consumer adoption dominate growth, with North America leading innovation while APAC addresses scalability amid ethical and cost challenges. Chicago, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global brain computer interface market was valued at US$ 2.84 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to reach US$ 11.20 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 16.43% during the forecast period 2025–2033. Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technologies have evolved significantly in recent years, transitioning from basic laboratory prototypes to sophisticated commercial solutions. In 2024, industry witnesses increased convergence of AI, machine learning, and neural networks, enhancing usability, accuracy, and responsiveness. Notably, invasive BCIs, such as Neuralink's implantable devices, have progressed to human clinical trials, demonstrating promising preliminary results in treating neurological disorders like paralysis and epilepsy. Meanwhile, non-invasive solutions employing EEG (Electroencephalogram) and fNIRS (functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy) have gained traction, attributed to their safety, ease of use, and improved signal processing capabilities. Download Sample Pages: The consumer has also begun embracing brain computer interface market, with companies like NextMind and Emotiv offering affordable, wearable EEG headsets for gaming, education, and virtual reality applications. Additionally, significant advancements in haptic feedback and immersive virtual environments have enabled seamless integration of BCI technology into the metaverse, creating engaging neuro-interactive experiences. The evolution of cloud-based neural data analytics platforms has further enabled real-time data processing and user-specific calibration, making BCIs accessible to broader demographics. As technology continues to mature, ongoing cross-disciplinary collaboration among neuroscience, computer science, and engineering fields is anticipated to foster further innovation, driving the BCI market trajectory upward in the foreseeable future. Key Findings in Brain Computer Interface Market Market Forecast (2033) US$ 11.20 billion CAGR 16.43% Largest Region (2024) North America (35%) By Component Hardware (57%) By Type Non-Invasive BCI (86%) By Application Healthcare (49%) Top Drivers Increasing adoption of non-invasive brain-computer interfaces across multiple sectors. Rising healthcare applications addressing neurological disorders and patient rehabilitation needs. Significant venture capital investment accelerating neurotechnology research and innovation. Top Trends Integration of artificial intelligence enhancing accuracy of neural decoding. Expansion of consumer-grade wearable neurotech into gaming and metaverse. Growing strategic partnerships among neurotech startups and leading technology companies. Top Challenges High device cost limiting widespread adoption in developing regions worldwide. Complex regulatory approval processes delaying commercialization timelines for products. Ethical concerns and user data privacy issues hindering customer acceptance. Emerging Trends: Future Technological Innovations in Brain-Computer Interface Domain In 2024, emerging technological trends in the brain computer interface market are focused on enhancing usability, connectivity, and integration with complementary technologies. One significant trend is the growing adoption of multimodal neuroimaging, combining EEG, fNIRS, and magnetoencephalography (MEG), enabling more accurate, real-time insights into brain activity. Companies such as Kernel and OpenBCI are actively exploring integration of these modalities into wearable, consumer-friendly devices, significantly expanding application possibilities beyond traditional clinical settings. Another critical trend is the increasing utilization of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to improve signal processing, classification accuracy, and user-specific customization. Advanced AI-driven neural decoding techniques developed by Neuralink and Synchron have significantly elevated invasive BCI performance, facilitating precise control of prosthetics, computers, and robotic devices. Additionally, wireless, battery-free neurotech solutions leveraging energy-efficient communication protocols, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Near-Field Communication (NFC), are gaining momentum, streamlining user experiences and promoting broader adoption. The integration of BCIs into immersive virtual environments, particularly within the rapidly expanding metaverse, is another prominent trend, creating enhanced neuro-interactive experiences and opening avenues for unprecedented cognitive interactions. Collectively, these emerging technological innovations signal a bright future for the BCI industry, characterized by enhanced capabilities, broader applications, and improved accessibility. Non-Invasive BCI Solutions Driving Robust Market Adoption and Industry Growth Non-invasive brain computer interface market have emerged as transformative solutions, reshaping market dynamics through rapid adoption across diverse sectors, including healthcare, gaming, education, and workplace productivity. By 2025, non-invasive BCIs leveraging advanced EEG (Electroencephalography), fNIRS (functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy), and hybrid modalities have captured nearly 75% of the total BCI market share, according to recent analysis from Astute Analytica. This surge is largely attributable to improved signal processing algorithms, AI-driven calibration methods, and user-friendly wearable designs, significantly enhancing usability and consumer acceptance. Companies such as Emotiv, NextMind (recently acquired by Snap Inc.), and Kernel have successfully commercialized EEG-based headsets and helmets, facilitating real-time cognitive monitoring, neurofeedback training, and hands-free device control, thus driving widespread adoption among tech-savvy consumers and enterprises alike. Furthermore, robust investment inflows into non-invasive BCIs underscore industry confidence, with global venture capital funding surpassing US$ 1.2 billion in 2024 alone, marking a 45% increase compared to 2023 in the brain computer interface market. Strategic partnerships between BCI manufacturers and major technology companies, notably Snap Inc., Meta, and Microsoft, have further accelerated market penetration, embedding neurotechnology into platforms spanning virtual reality, metaverse interactions, and remote work tools. Additionally, increased regulatory clarity and supportive policies in major markets, including the FDA's streamlined pathways for neurotech approvals, have significantly mitigated market entry barriers, enticing new startups and investors to explore non-invasive opportunities. As consumer comfort and familiarity with wearable neurotech rise, non-invasive BCIs are positioned to maintain robust growth, redefining human-technology interactions in the coming decade. Regional Insights: Market Penetration and Potential Across Global Geographic Regions The global Brain computer interface marketdisplays notable regional variations influenced by technological infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and investment climates. North America continues to dominate the BCI landscape, driven primarily by the United States, where substantial venture capital funding, progressive FDA regulatory support, and robust research institutions accelerate commercialization. Recent initiatives, including DARPA's Neural Engineering System Design (NESD) program and NIH's BRAIN initiative, significantly bolster local industry growth, creating ample opportunities for innovative companies to thrive. Europe follows closely behind, with Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom leading advancements in medical-focused BCI applications. Germany's BrainGate initiative and UK-based BIOS Health's neurotech platforms exemplify Europe's strength in clinical-grade neuro-interface technologies, supported by favorable regulatory environments under the European Medical Device Regulation (MDR). Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific is rapidly emerging as a promising growth region, led by China, Japan, and South Korea, witnessing increased governmental investments in neurotech research and development, especially in consumer and healthcare segments. Chinese companies, exemplified by BrainCo, have successfully commercialized EEG-based neurofeedback headbands for educational purposes, indicating significant market potential. Looking forward, sustained investments, supportive policies, and rising public awareness in these regions are poised to drive substantial market expansion over the coming years. Investment Opportunities: Lucrative Market Segments Within Brain-Computer Interface Industry The Brain computer interface market in 2024 presents lucrative investment opportunities across several key segments, notably healthcare and consumer applications. Within healthcare, neurorehabilitation and assistive technology applications are particularly attractive, addressing unmet medical needs in paralysis, stroke recovery, and neurodegenerative diseases. Companies like Synchron and Neuralink have demonstrated substantial progress, indicating significant long-term potential for investors seeking impactful healthcare innovations. Furthermore, therapeutic and diagnostic applications utilizing advanced neuroimaging, real-time neural data analytics, and AI-driven predictive models represent additional high-growth segments with considerable ROI potential. The consumer segment in the brain computer interface market, encompassing gaming, virtual reality, and wellness, also presents compelling investment opportunities. Rapid adoption of wearable EEG headsets from companies like Emotiv and NextMind among gaming enthusiasts highlights consumer willingness to embrace innovative neurotech solutions. Additionally, the emerging market for cognitive enhancement and stress management applications, exemplified by Kernel's Flow platform and Muse's meditation EEG headbands, indicates growing consumer demand for neurotechnology-driven wellness solutions. Venture capitalists and institutional investors increasingly recognize the BCI industry's potential, particularly in startups integrating BCIs with metaverse technologies and immersive virtual environments. Thus, strategic investments directed toward pioneering firms in healthcare and consumer segments promise substantial financial and societal returns in the foreseeable future. Ask for a Tailored Report: Competitive Landscape: Analysis of Prominent Players in BCI Industry Worldwide The brain computer interface market's competitive landscape in 2024 is diverse, comprising established industry giants, innovative startups, and academic spin-offs. Neuralink, backed by Elon Musk, remains prominent, recently showcasing successful human trials of implantable BCIs that facilitate intuitive control of digital devices. Synchron, another key invasive BCI player, has also advanced, earning FDA Breakthrough Device designation for its endovascular Stentrode device, which shows promise for patients with severe motor impairments. On the non-invasive front, Emotiv continues to lead with affordable EEG headsets, extensively utilized in research, gaming, and healthcare applications, emphasizing user-friendly design and robust software ecosystems. Emerging startups in the brain computer interface market such as NextMind, recently acquired by Snap Inc. in early 2023, highlight the trend of major tech companies entering the BCI domain, recognizing its substantial market potential. Kernel, a California-based neurotech company, has introduced Kernel Flow—a helmet utilizing fNIRS technology to measure brain activity with high spatial resolution, targeting consumer wellness and cognitive enhancement markets. Additionally, OpenBCI's open-source hardware and software approach has captured significant attention within academic and research communities, fostering collaborative innovation. Strategic partnerships among these players, substantial R&D investments, and intellectual property developments are expected to intensify competition, shaping the BCI industry's trajectory over the next decade. Global Brain Computer Interface Market Major Players: Neuralink Synchron Emotiv NeuroSky Paradromics Bitbrain Neurable Brain Products GmbH Kernel Other Prominent Players Key Segmentation: By Component Hardware Software Services By Type Invasive BCI Non-Invasive BCI Partially Invasive BCI By Application Healthcare Gaming & Entertainment Smart Home Control Education & Research Military & Defense Others By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa (MEA) South America Request Additional Details Before Purchase: About Astute Analytica Astute Analytica is a global market research and advisory firm providing data-driven insights across industries such as technology, healthcare, chemicals, semiconductors, FMCG, and more. We publish multiple reports daily, equipping businesses with the intelligence they need to navigate market trends, emerging opportunities, competitive landscapes, and technological advancements. With a team of experienced business analysts, economists, and industry experts, we deliver accurate, in-depth, and actionable research tailored to meet the strategic needs of our clients. At Astute Analytica, our clients come first, and we are committed to delivering cost-effective, high-value research solutions that drive success in an evolving marketplace. Contact Us:Astute AnalyticaPhone: +1-888 429 6757 (US Toll Free); +91-0120- 4483891 (Rest of the World)For Sales Enquiries: sales@ Follow us on: LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube CONTACT: Contact Us: Astute Analytica Phone: +1-888 429 6757 (US Toll Free); +91-0120- 4483891 (Rest of the World) For Sales Enquiries: sales@ Website:
Forbes
26-03-2025
- Science
- Forbes
Neptune's Auroras Imaged For First Time As Webb And Hubble Team Up
Aurora on Neptune, as seen by the james Webb Space Telescope and the Hubble Space Telescope. Astronomers have used the combined talents of the James Webb Space Telescope and the Hubble Space Telescope to capture vivid auroras on the planet Neptune for the first time. The farthest planet from the sun, Neptune is an ice-giant planet that looks blue thanks to methane in its atmosphere and an incredibly complex magnetic field. That magnetic field has been laid bare by this first-ever image of Neptune's aurora. Auroras are caused by charged particles in the solar wind — which originates in the sun — getting trapped in a planet's (or moon's) atmosphere and 'exciting' atoms in the upper atmosphere, creating photons of light as energy is released. That process typically results in aurora around the poles of a planet or moon because that's where its magnetic field is weakest. However, things are different in Neptune. As well as being very distant from the sun and extremely cold, Neptune's magnetic field is irregular. That's because Neptune is tilted 47 degrees from its rotational axis, according to NASA, with this misalignment making its magnetic field vary hugely during one rotation — which takes 16 hours. That's why, in this image of the cyan-colored aurora, it's patchy and scattered rather than around the poles. The image of the aurora was taken using the extremely sensitive Near-Infrared Spectrograph on the Webb telescope, with that data combined with visible light images from Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3 to create the first direct visual confirmation of aurora on Neptune. At the left, an enhanced-color image of Neptune from the Hubble Space Telescope. At the right, that ... More image is combined with data from the James Webb Space Telescope. NIRSpec captures infrared light — electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light — invisible to the human eye. It's essentially heat, which Webb cap captures because it operates at -370 degrees Fahrenheit (-223 degrees Celsius). It's been difficult for astronomers to capture Neptune's auroras because, it's theorized, the planet's upper atmosphere is cooling. Webb's instruments detected a temperature drop of several hundred degrees when it took the images, which is thought to be why they were detectable when typically they are not. Neptune joins a growing list of solar system bodies that exhibit auroral activity. Every planet in our solar system experiences auroral activity save for Mercury, which lacks a substantial atmosphere. Saturn exhibits bright ultraviolet auroras that, unlike Earth's, maintain consistent intensity regardless of solar wind turbulence, suggesting its magnetic field can absorb and dissipate energy without injecting it into the atmosphere. Jupiter has probably the most spectacular auroras in the solar system, displaying bright, vibrant, multi-colored auroras. Mars has faint proton auroras of Mars, and Uranus has faint ultraviolet emissions. A curtain of glowing gas is wrapped around Jupiter''s north pole like a lasso December 19, 2000 in a ... More Hubble telescope photo. (Photo by NASA/Newsmakers) Studying auroras allows researchers to map planetary magnetic fields, assess atmospheric composition, and even infer the presence of subsurface oceans — as seen with some of Jupiter's moons. Ganymede, Jupiter's largest moon, has auroral ovals that remain fixed regardless of the moon's wobble, suggesting the presence of an electrically conductive layer (likely a saltwater ocean) beneath its surface. Europa and Callisto (other Jovian moons) also boast auroras, which has helped scientists identify them as potentially harboring subsurface oceans. Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Muse's new wearable EEG knows how hard you're thinking
InteraXon, the makers of the Muse wearable EEG, believe it's made a big leap in scanning your brain's health. It is launching the Muse S Athena, it's fourth-generation device which adds a Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) sensor. fNIRS is designed to track how much oxygen is in your brain, the levels of which vary depending on its activity. The company claims the sensor offers you the equivalent of a VO2 Max reading, but for your brain, aiding you on your journey to become mentally swole. If you're unfamiliar, Muse has produced three wearable electroencephalogram (EEG) devices over the last decade. Put it on your forehead, close your eyes and, for instance, you'll get audio feedback depending on what brainwaves your mind is pumping out. It's useful for people who are learning meditation, since you'll get the sound of birds chirping when your mental state is relaxed. The app offers targeted programs to help improve your relaxation, combat stress, improve focus and even keep an eye on how well you're sleeping. The Muse S Athena uses the same hardware-and-headband combination from the Muse S, which lets you wear it to sleep. Naturally, the biggest advancement here is the fNIRS sensor, paired with both the EEG and the company's AI-driven foundational brain model. With it, you'll get feedback on how much oxygen is flowing to your brain — a metric of how much mental effort you're making at any given time. During meditation and relaxation exercises, you want that figure quite low, and when you're trying to build up your focus and concentration, you want it to climb northward. Naturally, when worn to bed, you'll get a record of your sleep stages, including how deep your sleep is. The company also promises that, if you use their audio cues to trigger sleep, you'll also be able to use them to drift back to sleep if you wake up in the middle of the night. This is also the first Muse headband that can be used with the wearer's eyes open, opening the door to a number of brain-training exercises. It's hoped the hardware, combined with the skill games inside the app, will help improve people's mental resilience. Not to mention, of course, helping older adults stave off cognitive decline by offering a chance to strengthen focus. The Muse S Athena is available to order today from the Muse website, priced at $474.99 in the US and $574.99 in Canada.
