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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for week 48: Deforestation has turned Africa's forests from carbon sinks to carbon sources, new study finds Africa's forests have shifted from absorbing to emitting carbon since 2010, primarily due to deforestation and degradation in tropical rainforests. Annual biomass losses of about 106 billion kg have not been offset by gains elsewhere. This transition threatens global climate targets, highlighting the urgent need for stronger forest protection and restoration efforts.   Consciousness as the foundation: New theory addresses nature of reality A new theoretical model proposes that consciousness is the foundational field from which time, space, and matter emerge, rather than a byproduct of brain activity. This framework integrates quantum physics with non-dual philosophy, positing individual consciousnesses as parts of a universal field and offering testable predictions in physics, neuroscience, and cosmology.   Earth system models overstate carbon removal: New findings suggest nitrogen fixation is 50% lower than thought Earth system models have overestimated natural nitrogen fixation rates by about 50%, leading to an 11% overestimation of the carbon dioxide fertilization effect on plant growth. This suggests that projections of future carbon removal by plants are too high, highlighting the need to revise climate models to account for lower natural nitrogen fixation.   Ancient wolves on remote Baltic Sea island reveal link to prehistoric humans Ancient wolf remains found on a remote Baltic Sea island indicate that prehistoric humans transported and provisioned wolves, as shown by their marine-based diet and genetic evidence of isolation. These wolves, distinct from dogs, exhibited traits of close human association, suggesting complex human-wolf interactions and management practices beyond previously recognized patterns.   Examining why some species developed consciousness while others remained non-conscious Consciousness likely evolved in stages—basic arousal for survival, general alertness for focused learning, and reflexive self-consciousness for social integration. Birds exhibit sensory consciousness, neurobiological substrates, and forms of self-perception, indicating that consciousness can arise in diverse brain structures and is more evolutionarily widespread than previously thought.   Bird flu viruses are resistant to fever, making them a major threat to humans Avian influenza viruses can replicate at high temperatures typical of fever, unlike human flu viruses, making them a significant threat. The PB1 gene determines this temperature resistance; when avian PB1 is present, viruses withstand fever and cause severe illness. Monitoring gene exchange and fever resistance in bird flu strains is important for pandemic preparedness.   After nearly 100 years, scientists may have detected dark matter Gamma rays with energies around 20 GeV have been detected in a halolike structure near the Milky Way’s center, matching predictions for dark matter particle annihilation, specifically WIMPs with masses about 500 times that of a proton. The observed gamma-ray spectrum and intensity align with theoretical expectations and are not easily explained by known astrophysical sources, suggesting possible direct evidence of dark matter. Verification from independent analyses and further observations in other dark matter-rich regions are needed to confirm these findings.   A 65-year-old linguistics framework challenged by modern research Contemporary research indicates that language is a dynamic, multimodal, and socially embedded system shaped by interaction, culture, and context, rather than a static spoken code defined by fixed features. Sign languages, tactile systems, and animal communication demonstrate linguistic diversity and complexity beyond speech. This perspective supports a more inclusive, adaptive, and functionally grounded understanding of language evolution.   How statins harm muscles—and how to stop it Statins can cause muscle pain and weakness by binding to the ryanodine receptor (RyR1) in muscle cells, forcing it open and causing harmful calcium leaks. Cryo-electron microscopy revealed that three statin molecules cluster in the receptor, triggering this effect. These insights may enable the design of statins that lower cholesterol without damaging muscle tissue.   Kimchi acts as a 'precision regulator' for the immune system, 12-week clinical trial suggests A 12-week clinical trial using single-cell transcriptomics shows that kimchi consumption enhances antigen-presenting cell function and promotes balanced differentiation of CD4+ T cells, supporting both immune defense and regulation. Starter-fermented kimchi demonstrated stronger immunomodulatory effects, indicating potential for optimizing kimchi’s health benefits through fermentation methods.   Experimental proof shows quantum world is even stranger than previously thought Experiments demonstrate that a quantum system can violate the temporal Tsirelson's bound (TTB) by evolving under a superposition of distinct unitary operations, leading to stronger Leggett-Garg inequality (LGI) violations than previously observed. This enhanced nonclassical behavior also increases resistance to decoherence, suggesting potential for more robust quantum technologies.   How antibody therapy clears Alzheimer's plaques: Key immune mechanism identified Lecanemab clears amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease by engaging its Fc fragment, which activates microglia to initiate phagocytosis and lysosomal activity for plaque removal. This mechanism, demonstrated using human microglia in a controlled model, clarifies how antibody therapies work and informs the development of safer, more effective treatments.   Most modern dogs have detectable wolf ancestry, including the tiny chihuahua Most modern dog breeds possess low but detectable levels of post-domestication wolf ancestry, influencing traits such as body size, olfaction, and behavior. Wolf ancestry is more prevalent in larger dogs and working breeds but is present even in small breeds like chihuahuas. Some adaptive traits in dogs, including high-altitude tolerance and enhanced sense of smell, are linked to wolf-derived genes.   Earthquakes shake up Yellowstone's subterranean ecosystems Seismic activity in Yellowstone alters subsurface geochemistry by exposing new rocks and releasing trapped fluids, increasing hydrogen, sulfide, and dissolved organic carbon levels. These changes lead to higher planktonic cell concentrations and shifts in microbial populations, suggesting earthquakes can enhance microbial habitability in subterranean ecosystems.   North and Baltic seas show widespread contamination by MRI contrasting agents MRI contrast agents containing gadolinium, a rare earth element, are widely contaminating the North Sea and Baltic Sea due to their persistence through wastewater treatment. These agents enter the seas via major European rivers and are transported by ocean currents. While current concentrations are below harmful levels, ongoing accumulation poses potential environmental and water quality concerns.   New universal law predicts how most objects shatter, from dropped bottles to exploding bubbles A universal law describes how objects fragment, predicting that the size distribution of pieces follows a power law determined by maximal randomness and a conservation constraint. This law accurately models fragmentation patterns across diverse materials and shapes, except in cases of soft materials or highly ordered breakups, where it does not apply.   Asteroid loaded with amino acids offers new clues about the origin of life on Earth Analysis of samples from asteroid Bennu confirmed the presence of 14 amino acids, including tentative traces of tryptophan, and five nucleobases, indicating both protein and genetic building blocks coexisted in the same extraterrestrial material. These molecules likely formed through water-driven chemical reactions, supporting the hypothesis that such compounds could have been delivered to early Earth.   Alternative sweetener sorbitol linked to liver disease Sorbitol, a common sugar alcohol used as an alternative sweetener, can be converted into fructose in the liver, potentially contributing to liver disease. While certain gut bacteria can degrade sorbitol, excessive intake or insufficient bacterial populations allow sorbitol to reach the liver, where it may have harmful effects similar to fructose.   Probing the quantum nature of black holes through entropy Black holes in the Jackiw-Teitelboim gravity model exhibit positive entropy that vanishes at zero temperature, consistent with the third law of thermodynamics and indicating isolated ground states. This behavior, confirmed by accounting for all wormhole contributions and using semiquenched entropy, supports the view that black holes possess quantum mechanical properties similar to conventional systems.   Modern life explains why people in Chile are taller and have larger heads than their ancestors Modern Chileans have significantly larger intracranial volumes and greater stature than their ancient ancestors, with little difference between early hunter-gatherers and pre-Hispanic farmers. The substantial increases in head size and height are attributed to improved nutrition, healthcare, and living conditions in the modern era, rather than earlier shifts in subsistence strategies.