A baby planet created one of the moon’s largest impact basins

Scientists have known for a long time that the Imbrium Basin, one of the largest impact craters on the moon, was the result of an asteroid colliding with our planet’s natural satellite. Thanks to a new study led by Brown University professor Pete Schultz, we now know that that asteroid could have been so big, it could be classified as a protoplanet. Previously, computer models estimated the extraterrestrial rock to be around 50 miles in diameter. But according to the results of Schultz’s experiments, it’s actually around 150 miles across, or (as Space puts it) about the length of New Jersey.

You might be more familiar with the Imbrium Basin than you think. If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, you probably see the famous Man in the Moon (pictured above) quite often. The face’s right eye is actually known as the Mare Imbrium, a dark lava plain within the Imbrium Basin.

Schultz based his study on the markings, which are pronounced enough to be visible from Earth even if you’re only using a small telescope, found inside the impact crater. One set of markings that radiate out from the center can be easily explained: that’s the protoplanet’s point of initial contact. There’s another set of markings with a different angle (see below), however, that has always been a source of mystery.

To uncover the truth behind those mysterious grooves, Schultz performed a series of impact experiments using the Vertical Gun Range (PDF) at the NASA Ames Research Center. Scientists can simulate high-speed celestial body impacts within the facility, which boasts a 14-foot cannon that can fire projectiles at up to 16,000 miles per hour. During his tests, he noticed that small pieces would break off the projectile and hit the surface of the object representing the moon at high speed. Those pieces formed marks consistent with the second set of markings in the Imbrium Basin.

After Schultz and his team figured out how those markings or grooves formed, they were able to calculate the size of the asteroid. Their 150-mile estimate is on the lower end, though, and the rock could have actually been larger than 186 miles across. This new estimate and the presence of impact basins even larger than Imbrium could mean that there was an abundance of protoplanets in our solar system 3.8 to 4 billion years ago. As Schultz said, “The large basins we see on the moon and elsewhere are the record of lost giants.”

[Image credit: NASA/Northeast Planetary Data Center/Brown University]

Via: Space

Source: Brown University

ICYMI: Homeless robots, modern brain maps and giant vortex cannons

Today on In Case You Missed It: A French artist created a remote-controlled robot disguised as a homeless man. It’s name is Dirk. Additionally, a team of neuroscientists from Oxford University scanned the brains of 400 volunteers to create the most detailed map of the human cortex we’ve ever seen.

We’ve also got a man with a GoPro and a plan. He filmed himself building a gigantic vortex cannon then filled the machine with propane and let it rip. The results were *puts on sunglasses* explosive. As always, please share any interesting tech or science videos you find by using the #ICYMI hashtag on Twitter for @mskerryd.

Apple Posts Job Listings for First Retail Store in Taiwan

Apple has posted a series of job listings for its first retail store in Taiwan. The company is looking to fill Genius, Expert, Manager, Store Leader, and Business Leader positions, among others, while applications for the Apple Store Leader Program are open ahead of a September 2016 start date.

Apple confirmed to Reuters that it will open its first retail store in Taiwan, but it did not disclose a specific location. The company operates over 40 retail stores in the Greater China region, which encompasses Taiwan, including 41 in mainland China and five in Hong Kong. Many stores are located in Galaxy or MixC shopping malls.

The news comes just one day after Apple announced its first retail store in Brooklyn will open on Saturday, July 30 at 10:00 a.m. local time. Apple has eight other stores within New York City limits, including six in Manhattan, one in Queens, and one on Staten Island. Another store will open at the World Trade Center later this year.

Apple has aggressively expanded its retail footprint in the Greater China region, including China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, over the past few years. The company recently achieved CEO Tim Cook’s goal of reaching 40 stores in the region ahead of schedule, while in the U.S. it has focused on renovating existing stores with new designs.

Related Roundup: Apple Stores
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Samsung sues Huawei in China over patent infringement

Samsung has sued Huawei for allegedly infringing on six of its patents, seeking damages of ¥161 million ($24.1 million) and pushing for Huawei to end production and sales of the Mate 8 and select Honor phones. The lawsuit is the latest in an ongoing battle between the two companies in China.

In May, Huawei filed a lawsuit against Samsung in which it said that the South Korean manufacturer used its 4G communications, operating systems, and user interface software patents without a prior license. At the time, Samsung said that it would “take appropriate action to defend its business interests,” including launching a counter-suit against Huawei.

Earlier this month, Huawei responded once again with a new lawsuit to the tune of $12 million, claiming that Samsung infringed on its patents on recent devices like the Galaxy S7 edge.

It looks like today’s litigation from Samsung is its way of countering Huawei’s claims from earlier this month. In a statement to Reuters, a Samsung spokesperson said:

Despite our best efforts to resolve this matter amicably, it has regrettably become necessary to take legal action in order to defend our intellectual property.

WIth both brands ready to tussle it out, it looks like this is the beginning of yet another lengthy patent litigation in the smartphone segment.

Razer’s new location-based platform lets you chat with other Pokémon Go trainers

There’s no chat system in Pokémon Go and while many would consider that a blessing, there are times when you simply wish to see who’s out and about to pool resources or to inform others of a rare find nearby. Cue Razer. The company has unveiled a new web-based chat platform with iOS and Android apps set to be released soon.

The web version of this messaging system — aptly named RazerGo — utilizes your location so filters can then be set in the form of a distance radius. Don’t wish to talk to folk from around the world? Restrict the platform to only show messages from those 5km or so away from you. The company has taken full advantage of the already released and robust Razer chat infrastructure.

As well as public chat, there is also support for private and group channels too, enabling friends and fellow trainers to band together and take down those tough gym strongholds. You can try out RazerGo on the web as of now, but we’ll be sure to alert you all once the iOS and Android apps have been released to respective stores.

• Try RazerGo on the web

Dots & Co brings more companions and challenges to the mental oasis

Dots, the developer behind Dots and TwoDots, has just released a new mobile title called Dots & Co. This latest instalment in the series is now available for iOS and Android, adding an enhanced visual palette, more companions with new powers, all bringing additional layers to the original and much-loved gameplay.

Just like its predecessors, Dots & Co tasks players with matching dots with various mechanics that switch out and merge as progress is made. 155 new stages are available to offer some additional challenge backed by an original music score. The development team also plans to add additional puzzles in future updates that will be released for free.

You can download Dots & Co from the Play Store today.

HTC Marlin spotted in real life, teasing next Nexus specs

Discussion surrounding the next Nexus devices has been rife, with rumours of two HTC handsets known as Marlin and Sailfish.

The first claimed real world photo of the HTC Marlin isn’t going to be a huge design reveal, however, as all we can see if the display – if, of course, this is legitimately what we’re looking at. 

The source of the information, TechDroider, claims that this is the HTC Marlin, thought to be the larger of the two handsets that will be released by Google later in the year.

TechDroider

The only real details we can discern from this image is the N Android version and the Marlin name, with the website claiming that the handset is in a case to disguise the design. This is common practice in pre-release devices. 

However, the website goes on to say that it is a full-metal device with no camera bump at the back and that it looks a bit like the HTC 10, but with a fingerprint scanner on the rear. Such things are easily guessed at, but that generally follows the line of thinking we’ve seen previously on Marlin.

• Next Nexus 2016: What’s the story so far?
• Nexus Marlin vs Nexus Sailfish: What’s the rumoured difference?
• HTC Marlin completely revealed in major spec leak
• Is this what HTC’s Marlin and Sailfish Nexus phones will look like?

There’s mention of this being a 5.5-inch 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution device, that it will have a 12-megapixel rear camera and 8-megapixel front camera, possibly the same as the Nexus 6P. It’s also claimed to be offering 128GB of internal storage.

There’s still a lot that’s not known about the future Nexus handsets, with the biggest question being whether these are conventional Nexus devices as we’ve seen before, or if Google is moving to take closer ownership of them, branding them with a Google G logo instead.

This is a limited leak, but you can follow all the action around the new Nexus devices right here on Pocket-lint.com.

A Pokemon Go smartwatch app needs to happen

Pokemon Go has basically taken the rulebook and thrown it out of the Window. It’s seen huge interest around the globe and really shaken up mobile gaming, by insisting that you leave your house.

The biggest downside – apart from the demand overwhelming the Pokemon Go servers – has been the incredible battery drain experienced by smartphones.

There’s no real escape from the battery drain problem because Pokemon Go needs your phone on, the screen awake, the GPS position monitored and data synced with the servers. Ok, sure, increasing the battery capacity of your phone is one aspect, but if there’s ever an argument for a smartwatch app, this is it.

• Best smartphones battery packs: Pokemon Power and more
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Smartwatches are much derided in technology and haven’t seen huge adoption. Apple seems to have slowed in talking up the Apple Watch and Android Wear seems to have had few releases in 2016. That’s because, ultimately, they struggle to do anything that’s not bettered by the phone they are connected to.

But in the case of Pokemon Go, a smartwatch could offer a lot, by letting you share the workload with your phone and allowing you to put your phone away – reducing the chances of you getting mugged as you stroll down the street trying to catch Tangela.

Instead, a smartwatch app for Apple Watch or Android Wear could easily alert you when a new Pokemon appears, it could let you look at the map and check local PokeStops and Gyms to decide whether you need to vary your route to get to them, and it could easily let you check your stats and carry out other in-game tasks – all while your phone remains in your pocket.

In many ways, a smartwatch could offer the sort of functions being promised by the Pokemon Go Plus, but move it from a connected accessory to part of the game.

• Pokemon Go Plus explained: Release date, price and everything you need to know
• Help! Pokemon Go isn’t working: How to fix common Pokemon Go problems
• Pokemon Go Gym tips: How to battle, train and win
• Pokemon Go top tips: Master the Pokemon mayhem

Of course, we’d never envision using a smartwatch app to catch Pokemon or to battle in Gyms as the mechanics would be too small and far too problematic, but it could at least save you from having the screen on for 2 hours as you walk around playing the game.

So perhaps Pokemon Go could be the saviour of smartwatches. It’s one area where the connected devices would be genuinely useful, rather than just a worse version of what you already get on your phone.

Chinese scientists will soon begin the first CRISPR human trial

American regulators already approved a University of Pennsylvania team’s plans to conduct a CRISPR trial on humans, but a group of Chinese scientists will beat them to the punch. The Chinese team from the Sichuan University’s West China Hospital in Chengdu will begin testing the efficacy of modified cells for lung cancer treatment in August. They chose patients who still haven’t gotten well even after undergoing chemotherapy, radiation therapy and other treatments.

The scientists plan to take T cells (a type of white blood cell) from patients and use the CRISPR-Cas9 technique to edit out the PD-1 gene. PD-1 regulates T cells’ immune response and prevents them from attacking healthy cells. The team will then multiply the modified samples in the lab before reintroducing them to the patients’ bloodstream, in hopes that they’ll target parts of the patient’s body affected with cancer.

A biotechnology company will validate the cells before they’re reintroduced into the patient to make sure only PD-1 was edited out. But Timothy Chan, an immunotherapy researcher from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, still has reservations about the team’s plan. He told Nature that he’s worried the cells would activate an excessive immune response that could target perfectly healthy tissues.

Chan suggested taking T cells directly from a tumor, but the Chinese scientists said the patients’ lung cancer tumors aren’t easily accessible. As a precaution, the team will start things slow. They’ll begin with 10 people and will initially administer increasing dosages on just one patient in order to monitor the results closely and to look out for side effects. It’s worth noting that Chinese scientists were also the first to use CRISPR editing on human embryos to repair a gene that causes fatal blood disorder. Their approach only worked on half the embryos, though, so they ultimately had to scrap the study.

Source: Nature