Zoologists assessed the flight distance of southern giant flying possums, which are the largest gliding marsupials. It was found that these animals glide distances ranging from 6.7 to 49.6 meters, with an average of 19.1 meters. This figure significantly differs from literature claims suggesting they can cover up to 100 meters.
Compared to other gliding marsupials, giant flying possums exhibit a steeper glide angle and a lower horizontal distance to altitude loss ratio (1.1). These characteristics indicate low gliding efficiency, making the species more vulnerable to deforestation and forest fragmentation than previously thought. The results of this study were published in the journal Australian Mammalogy.
Representatives of several families of diprotodont marsupials inhabiting Australia and New Guinea have developed the ability to glide through the evolution of a skin membrane between their limbs. The smallest glider among all mammals is the pygmy flying possum (Acrobates pygmaeus), weighing only about 12 grams.
The common belief that southern flying possums can glide 100 meters is based on an observation made in 1941 by a resident of New South Wales. This person saw a large marsupial glide between trees several times in a row while making sounds. However, zoologists doubt this assessment because flying possums rarely make consecutive flights and usually do not make sounds. This observation likely refers to another species—the common brushtail possum (Petaurus australis).
Ana Grachanin from the Australian National University and her team set out to clarify the actual gliding distance of southern giant flying possums. To conduct the research, they went to wet eucalypt forests located on the uplands of southeastern New South Wales, specifically in the Monga and Tallagand national parks.
The researchers captured seven southern giant flying possums and placed each one on a separate tree. Dead trees were used to prevent prolonged hiding of the animal. After each gliding flight, when the possum landed on another tree, the scientists recorded the distance traveled. Additionally, the team recorded seven instances of independent gliding by possums emerging from hollows, as well as 27 random flights. Observations were conducted at dusk or on moonlit nights under natural light, as well as using flashlights and thermal imaging.
Analysis of data collected from 41 flights allowed Grachanin and her co-authors to conclude that these marsupials have low gliding abilities. The horizontal distance ranged from 6.7 to 49.6 meters (average—19.1 meters). The possums took off from branches at an average height of 21.8 meters and landed at a height of 4.7 meters, most often on the vertical surface of the trunk, after which they immediately climbed into the canopy. The average glide angle was 43.5 degrees. Video recordings of 12 flights allowed for the calculation that the average flight duration is 3.26 seconds, and the horizontal speed is 5.2 meters per second.
It was noted that the higher the takeoff point, the farther the possums glided. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that this species regularly reaches distances of 100 meters or more, even in forests with taller trees.
The horizontal gliding distance of southern giant flying possums is comparable to the characteristics of small marsupial gliders of the genus Petaurus. However, large brushtail possums are capable of gliding over greater distances—averaging about 40 meters, and in rare cases, up to 143 meters. The overall picture for southern giant flying possums is characterized by a steeper glide angle and a low horizontal distance to altitude loss ratio (1.1), indicating low efficiency. This is presumed to be related to their large size and the specific placement of the flight membrane, which extends from the elbow rather than the wrist, as in other gliding marsupials.
The authors emphasize that the limited gliding skills make this endangered species even more sensitive to deforestation and forest fragmentation processes than previously assumed.
Windows 11 has received a new feature called Screen Tint, launched in July, which allows users to modify the monitor's color to different hues, such as blue, yellow, and amber. This feature was developed to mitigate eye fatigue.
According to Microsoft, this tool helps soften eye irritation caused by long periods of exposure to intense and highly saturated screens. Essentially, it is an accessibility feature designed to reduce eye strain during prolonged monitor use, and it is also beneficial for individuals with increased light sensitivity.
Screen Tint works by applying the selected color uniformly across the entire screen, which serves to attenuate the strong brightness that usually emanates from the standard white background. Although it is possible to reduce screen brightness, this solution is not always sufficient, as the contrast between black text and a white background can still cause discomfort, even with low brightness.
Additionally, in certain situations, such as using the computer near a window with strong sunlight incidence, reducing brightness can make the screen excessively dark, hindering reading. Since the Screen Tint function alters the color of the light, the applied tone can be perceived as less 'aggressive' to the eyes, regardless of the brightness level reduction.
It is important to differentiate this feature from Night Light. While Screen Tint adjusts the color, Night Light causes the screen to adopt a warm (amber) tone at set times, preventing sleep disturbances if the computer is used at night.
To activate Screen Tint in Windows 11, the user must navigate through the Start Menu, access Settings, then Accessibility, and finally, Screen Tint. By default, the feature is disabled, and the corresponding button must be activated in the upper right corner.
After activation, one must choose one of the available tones: amber, pink, yellow, blue, green, or gray. There is also the option to create a custom tint through the 'View Colors' button. Furthermore, it is possible to define the intensity of the tint application in the Strength control. The text mentions that the yellow and gray tones were considered more comfortable, while pink was not pleasant.
It should be noted that Screen Tint is part of the features released in the final version of Windows 11, along with the July 2026 system updates. Another new addition is the ability to pause Windows Update updates for customized periods.
A recent study conducted by Uppsala University in Sweden demonstrated that the Sun possesses a concentration of silver considerably higher than previously estimated, showing about 55% more of this element.
This discovery was achieved through the development of a new model for analyzing the solar atmosphere. This model allowed for a more accurate composition of the star, aiding in resolving a historical discrepancy between the levels of silver measured in the Sun and those found in meteorites formed at the beginning of the Solar System.
Although the Sun is mainly composed of hydrogen and helium, it also harbors traces of heavier elements, such as carbon, iron, and silver. These materials account for only 1.5% of the stellar mass but are crucial because they carry vital information about the genesis of the Universe.
Sema Caliskan, a doctoral student in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Uppsala University, led this research. She emphasized that an in-depth knowledge of solar composition is fundamental to understanding other celestial bodies scattered throughout space, stating that the Sun serves as a primary reference point in astronomy.
To quantify silver in the Sun, scientists employed spectroscopy, analyzing the light emitted by the star. This technique works by identifying specific patterns left by atoms in the observed light, known as spectral lines, which act as a unique chemical signature for each substance.
The methodological progress came from creating a more detailed model of the star. This model integrated a simulation of the outer solar layers with improved calculations on the atomic behavior of silver, incorporating effects that were absent in previous approaches. The practical result was the estimation of 55% more silver.
This finding has the potential to benefit various areas of science, including improving studies on the composition of other stars, understanding the origin of heavy elements in the cosmos, investigating the formation of planets and cosmic materials, in addition to analyzing the chemical evolution of the Milky Way.
For years, there had been a divergence between the amount of silver measured in the Sun and that detected in meteorites classified as chemically primitive. Since both originated from the same cloud of gas and dust approximately 4.6 billion years ago, a correspondence in values was expected. The new estimate managed to bring these results closer, thus mitigating this old measurement problem. Caliskan clarified that the new model allows for a more precise interpretation of the spectral lines used to determine solar silver abundance. The team plans to extend this method to other stars to map the distribution of silver and other elements over time in the Universe.
A 25-year-old developer from Rio de Janeiro has created a digital tool that uses artificial intelligence to support the learning and translation of Brazilian Sign Language (Libras). The application, named Aprenda Libras, was independently developed by Gabriel Sales with the goal of improving communication between deaf and hearing people.
The idea arose from the programmer's academic experience while attending a class taught by a deaf instructor who communicated in Libras. Upon learning about the difficulties she faced in obtaining a university education, Sales decided to find a technological solution aimed at inclusivity.
The project is implemented using artificial intelligence technologies and utilizes the mobile phone's camera to recognize movements and convert them into understandable signs. The application is designed for both learning and assisting in daily communication.
The Aprenda Libras application allows users to learn sign language, practice new signs, and track their progress. Furthermore, the platform includes a translation feature that helps deaf individuals interact with those who do not know Libras. Examples of use include visiting restaurants, cafes, and other public places, which promotes the participation of the deaf community in various social spheres.
To create the system, Gabriel Sales used MediaPipe, an open-source technology from Google designed for body movement recognition. The artificial intelligence analyzes performed gestures based on captured image sequences and determines the corresponding sign. The development of the tool also depends on user participation, as the application allows sending new signs, including regional variations of Libras, to increase the database and improve AI performance.
According to Gabriel Sales, the creator, the development of the platform was driven by the difficulties faced by deaf people in vital services, especially where interpreters are unavailable, such as in small hospitals. Currently, the application is only available for Android devices via the Play Store. The developer plans to expand availability to Apple devices, such as iPhone and Mac, and to release a web browser version. Improvements have been made after receiving user feedback, including the ability to translate content from other languages, such as Spanish, into Libras, which increases interaction possibilities between deaf people and speakers of foreign languages.
