Black Hole, Human Ancestor, Vaccine News This Week
- This week's science news was all about discoveries made by the world's best telescopes, as the James Webb Space Telescope verified the existence of a runaway supermassive black...
- The black hole, which is leaving behind a stunning contrail of stars in its wake, confirms more than five decades of research.And it's not the only celestial object...
- Meanwhile, NASA's SPHEREx (short for Spectro-Photometer for the History of the universe, epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer) unveiled its frist coA collection of 773,000-year-old bones found inside...
This week’s science news was all about discoveries made by the world’s best telescopes, as the James Webb Space Telescope verified the existence of a runaway supermassive black hole escaping its host galaxy at 2.2 million miles per hour (3.6 million km/h).
The black hole, which is leaving behind a stunning contrail of stars in its wake, confirms more than five decades of research.And it’s not the only celestial object offering evidence for long-standing astronomical theories this week – there was also Cloud-9, a failed galaxy discovered by the Hubble telescope, that appears to be held together by dark matter.
A collection of 773,000-year-old bones found inside a Moroccan cave shifted the potential origins of modern humans from East to West Africa this week.
There are a lot of fossil hominins in Africa – at least until about a million years ago and again after 500,000 years ago – but a gap exists between these two time points that makes tracking the evolutionary history of humanity challenging.
That’s what makes the finding of the new fossils,found inside Casablanca’s Grotte à Hominidés,a very exciting development for paleoanthropologists,with the remains believed to come from the last common ancestor to modern humans, Neanderthals and Denisovans.
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The answer is… mostly no. While natural selection certainly played a role in the evolution of cats, almost all cat breeds have been created by humans through selective breeding.
Here’s a breakdown of how cat breeds came to be:
Natural selection vs. artificial selection
Table of Contents
Natural selection is the process where organisms with traits better suited to their surroundings are more likely to survive and reproduce. This leads to gradual changes in a population over time. Think of the way polar bears evolved thick fur to survive in the Arctic.
Artificial selection, conversely, is when humans intentionally breed plants or animals for specific traits. This is how we got everything from different types of apples to various dog breeds.
The origins of cat breeds
Cats were first domesticated around 10,000 years ago in the Near East, likely as they were useful for controlling rodent populations. though, for most of their history with humans, cats were allowed to breed fairly freely. This meant that natural selection was the primary force shaping their evolution.
The intentional creation of cat breeds is a relatively recent phenomenon, starting in the Victorian era (1837-1901) in england and the United States. Cat fanciers began to select cats with desirable traits – such as coat color, pattern, or body shape – and breed them together to create consistent offspring.
Which breeds came closest to developing naturally?
While almost all breeds are the result of human intervention, some have origins that are closer to natural selection than others. These breeds often arose in isolated populations where specific traits were favored by the environment.
Here are a few examples:
- Maine Coon: This large, hardy breed is believed to have developed in the state of Maine, where long coats were advantageous for surviving harsh winters. while humans likely played a role in selecting for size and temperament,the initial development of the breed was likely driven by natural selection.
- Norwegian Forest Cat: Similar to the Maine Coon, this breed developed in a cold climate and has a thick, water-resistant coat.it’s thought to have descended from cats brought to Norway by Vikings.
- Siberian: another cold-weather breed with a dense coat, the Siberian originated in Russia.
- Turkish Van: This breed is known for its love of water and its distinctive “van” pattern (color on the head and tail, with a white body). It’s believed to have originated in the Lake Van region of Turkey, where swimming was necessary for survival.
The genetics of cat breeds
A 2023 study published in the journal Nature Genetics analyzed the genomes of over 200 cats representing 95 breeds.The study found that most cat breeds have a surprisingly recent origin, with many having been created within the last few decades. It also revealed that many breeds have a limited gene pool,which can make them susceptible to genetic diseases.
The study also confirmed that the vast majority of cat breeds are the result of artificial selection. however, it did identify a few genes that were likely selected for by natural selection in certain breeds, such as the genes for coat color and pattern in the Turkish Van.
In conclusion
While natural selection played a role in the evolution of cats, almost all of the breeds we know today are the result of human intervention. So, the next time you admire a lovely Persian or a playful Siamese, remember that its unique characteristics are likely due to the efforts of cat fanciers over the past century or so.
Federal health officials announced an unprecedented shift in the childhood vaccine schedule this week, reducing the number of shots universally recommended to kids 18 and under from around 17 to 11.
The unilateral decision is a step toward the longtime goal of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other vaccine skeptics to reduce the number of vaccines given to children. While officials claim the move will more closely align the U.S. with other developed countries, experts say the decision lacks scientific backing and will lead to more sick children.
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Something for the weekend
If you’re looking for something a little longer to read over the weekend, here are some of the best science histories, skywatching guides and quizzes published this week.
–Sophie Germain, first woman to win France’s prestigious ‘Grand Mathematics Prize’ is snubbed when tickets to award ceremony are ‘lost in the mail’ – Jan. 9, 1816 [Science history]
–Jupiter will outshine every star in the sky this weekend – how to see the ‘king of planets’ at opposition [Skywatching]
–How much do you really know about T. rex,the king of the dinosaurs? [Quiz]
Supermoon of January 2026
A supermoon illuminated skies across both hemispheres at the start of this week,reaching peak fullness on January 6,2026. This was the largest and brightest full moon of the year until November 2026, according to Time and Date.
What is a Supermoon?
A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to Earth in its orbit, a point known as perigee. This proximity makes the moon appear slightly larger and brighter in the sky. The January 6, 2026 supermoon was particularly notable due to its close proximity to Earth – approximately 226,866 miles (365,116 kilometers).
According to NASA, the term “supermoon” isn’t an official astronomical term, but has gained popularity in recent years. The technical name for a full moon at or near its closest approach to earth is a perigee syzygy.
Visibility and Impact
The supermoon was visible to observers across North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.Clear skies allowed for optimal viewing. While the difference in size and brightness compared to a typical full moon isn’t dramatic to the naked eye, photographers and skywatchers appreciated the enhanced illumination.
The increased gravitational pull of the supermoon can cause slightly higher tides, known as perigean spring tides. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Governance (NOAA) provides detailed tide data and forecasts, noting that these tides are typically a few inches higher than usual.
Future Supermoons in 2026
While the January 6th supermoon was the largest of the year, several other full moons in 2026 will also qualify as supermoons. The next supermoon occurred on February 5, 2026. Further supermoons are expected on March 6,and April 4,2026. The largest supermoon after January will be on November 3, 2026, as reported by EarthSky.