sneetchwithoutastar

Exoplanet Magnetic Field Measured Directly for First Time Via Radio Bursts

For the first time, astronomers have directly measured the magnetic field of a planet orbiting another star — detecting circularly polarized radio bursts from the giant world Beta Pictoris b and tracing them, through a sophisticated astrometric technique, to the planet itself rather than its host star. The result, reported in a preprint posted September 15, 2026, by Kevin N. Ortiz Ceballos, Edo Berger, and Yvette Cendes, closes the last major gap in the quest to characterize planetary magnetic fields across the galaxy and represents the first direct magnetic field measurement for any planet beyond our solar system.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Scientists discover a vast world of unknown life in Earth’s lakes

Scientists rebuilt nearly 20,000 genomes from lake algae and amoebae. Fewer than 1 in 20 matched a known genus in genetic records.

Fascinating.

( Read more... )

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ysabetwordsmith

Today is cloudy and wet. It's been drizzling on and off this morning.

I fed the birds. I've haven't seen any yet, probably because of the rain.

I put out water for the birds.

I saw a toad on the patio.

EDIT 10/15/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

I saw a toad in the yard.

EDIT 10/15/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

I am done for the night.

Current Mood: busy

dark_kana posting in

3_good_things_a_day

1) Delicious tea, a hot water bottle and soup for lunch. Warm things today seeing I woke up still feeling tired. And when I'm tired, I quickly feel cold *shrugs*

2) I just received good news at work :D

3) Going swimming this evening and afterwards going out for a drink (probably tea or a hot chocolate *grins*)

ysabetwordsmith

Live music creates a powerful emotional connection in the human brain that recorded songs just cannot match

Live performances drove significantly stronger and steadier amygdala activity than the recordings did. The effect held for both pleasant and unpleasant pieces, which the composers wrote specifically for the study.

The live condition also lit up a broader emotional network and increased information flow across both feeling and thinking regions of the brain. A recording, however polished, never matched that reach.

I'll take it one step further: acoustic music or singing has a warmth and vitality that largely disappears when broadcast over a speaker. It winds up sounding like a recording. If I hear music on a loudspeaker, I usually ignore it. A band onstage might get my attention if I like their music. But a busker or a choral group on the sidewalk will definitely make me pay attention, just to identify what they're doing and whether I like it. If I like it, I usually stop to listen and drop a tip in the jar. I like live music, and I like it better if there's not much between me and the performer.

So if you have a chance, listen to live music when you can; it's good for you. If you organize events, put out a busk stop, because it makes people slow down and pay attention.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

This year I'm doing Community Thursdays. Some of my activity will involve maintaining communities I run, and my favorites. Some will involve checking my list of subscriptions and posting in lower-traffic ones. Today I have interacted with the following communities...

* Commented under Speak Up Saturday on

tv_talk.

* Commented under Just One Thing (14 October 2026) on

awesomeers.

* Commented under Long Plant on

common_nature.

* Posted Birdfeeding in

birdfeeding.

* Commented under just create - signal edition in

justcreate.

* Posted Fanworks in

mag7daybook.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Students who let AI do their work may actually get worse grades

Obviously.

Students who wrote their own answers and then asked AI for feedback scored highest, while those who let AI write did worse than non-users.

This was less obvious. Thinking about it, if you do the assignment and then ask a chatbot what you missed, that is similar to using a spellchecker after proofreading your draft -- two methods mean better improvement than one method.

However, I'd like to see a comparison between students who asked a professor to check their work, those who asked a peer to check it, and those who asked a chatbot to check it. My bet is that a teacher's feedback would be more useful than a chatbot's feedback. It's why some high school and many college classes have students turn in a proposal, a rough draft, and a final draft of major papers.

If the chatbot feedback holds up under further testing, it's another productive application of a technology has very few genuinely helpful, ethical uses. Just don't get dependent on it, because Earth doesn't have the resources to run that much of an energy hog for long, no matter what some people think.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

This poem is spillover from the September 1, 2026 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from

dialecticdreamer. It also fills the "making friends" square in my 9-1-26 card for the Life Events Bingo Fest. This poem has been sponsored by Anthony Barrette. It belongs to the Aquariana thread of the Polychrome Heroics series.

( Read more... )

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ysabetwordsmith

Thanks to a donation from

mama_kestrel, there are 30 new verses in "Save All the Pieces." Stylet talks more about what giant ground sloths like to eat.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

This poem came out of the October 6, 2026 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired and sponsored by

mama_kestrel. It also fills the "trauma" square in my 10-1-26 card for the Gothic Bingo Fest. This poem belongs to the series Schrodinger's Heroes. It follows "Hunting Mouseholes."

( Read more... )

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ysabetwordsmith

Today we went up to Champaign-Urbana.

( Read more... )

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florianschild posting in

addme

Name: flori, and I don't really like my legal name so we'll stick with that

Age:

I mostly post about:

Books, reading, interesting things I see online, sometimes my crafty hobbies, and sometimes life updates. I occasionally post answers to Friday Five, Snowflake Challenge, and other Q&A-type posts.

My hobbies are:

I have a lot of hobbies, but my main ones these days are reading, sewing, and papercrafting/junk journaling.

My fandoms are:

I'm not really involved in any fandoms at this point, but in the past I've been semi-involved in Harry Potter, The Queen's Thief, Hunger Games, A Song of Ice and Fire, and various smaller fandoms (mainly The Rifter but also some others).

I'm looking to meet people who:

I enjoy people who post about books (especially if we have similar tastes) whether that is reviewing, going in-depth on book discussion, theme discussion, book recommendations, etc. I also like when people post about internet and fandom culture, links to interesting things on the web, and meta about community building online. I enjoy reading personal thoughts and experiences, but I prefer when they are a bit abstracted from day to day life. I don't tend to read or comment on posts about IRL activities (unless they are book or hobby related).

My posting schedule tends to be:

I'd say kind of weekly but not every week. I do drop off regularly and then appear again when life calms down.

When I add people, my dealbreakers are:

I prefer to live my life on a case-by-case basis. I'm pretty open-minded and willing to tolerate people of different backgrounds and experiences. Let's get to know each other and then if we don't click we can drift apart naturally like civilized folks. :D

Before adding me, you should know: My taste in reading tends toward the iddy, angsty, and dark. I like talking about those themes in my journal. I don't write in a dark way or anything but I reference works that could be triggering. If you are really sensitive you might want to be aware of that.

ysabetwordsmith

Today is cloudy and mild. It drizzled a bit this morning.

I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 10/14/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 10/14/26 -- I did more work around the patio.

I heard a bluejay screaming but didn't see it.

I am done for the night.

Current Mood: busy

dear_unfound posting in

addme

Name: dear_unfound

Age: Late 20s.

I mostly post about: Whatever occupies my mind, in all its messy intensity. Sometimes it’s about hobbies, philosophical thoughts, self reflective musings, hobby projects, creative writing samples, technical career paths, fun things I wish I could do, being sapphic, big feelings, or just plain silliness.

My hobbies are: Fashion, perfumes, poetry, creative writing, literature, magical girl media, queer media, emo and breakcore music, arts and crafts, entomology, coding, mathematics, and philosophy.

My fandoms are: Does TJ Maxx and Ross count as a fandom? I love home decor and kitchen utensils at discounted prices.

I'm looking to meet people who: Are kind. I live a very solitary life offline, and hectic online spaces like social media aren't really my cup of tea. I'd love to make a few thoughtful, old fashioned penpal friendships. Additionally, I would prefer correspondence with people in my general age range or older.

My posting schedule tends to be: Most likely weekly, occasionally monthly if my workload is too heavy or life happens.

When I add people, my dealbreakers are: Homophobia, racism, ableism, sexism, fatphobia, animal cruelty, or just generally being a bully. As an LGBTQ+ woman, I have some unconventional views on economics and AI that don't fit neatly into any particular political camp. When it comes to social issues outside of those topics, I am liberal. I have no issue with people who disagree with me, and I'm not particularly interested in political debates. I value personal autonomy, mutual respect, and the ability to appreciate one another despite our differences.

Before adding me, you should know: There will be some adult content posts (mostly demisexual-coded philosophical musings regarding intimacy) as well as occasional posts concerning existentialism, the human condition, and mental health. Those posts, or anything too personal for that matter, will be limited to my access list and clearly tagged in the header. That way, people who are uncomfortable with those topics can avoid them.

Current Mood: content
Current Location: Earth
Current Music: Helena by MCR

nimueth posting in

addme

Name: Nim

Age: 40

I mostly post about: I use DW as a journal, so I talk about what's going on in my life, write down my thoughts, and to vent.

My hobbies are: Drawing, videogames, knitting, crocheting and gardening (is it still called gardening when you just look after potted plants in your tiny flat and balcony?)

My fandoms are: Sonic the Hedgehog, Mass Effect, TMNT, Hellboy/B.P.R.D., The Talos Principle, Alien, Transformers

I'm looking to meet people who: Like-minded folks. We don't have to have fandoms in common, I really don't post about those outside of the occasional art post (I draw a lot of fanart and occasionally enjoy making icons and mood themes for DW). But if some of our hobbies match, that's a plus!

My posting schedule tends to be: daily/weekly/monthly/sporadic/etc
It depends. I've always been a very solitary and reserved person, and over the years I've become more closed off, so sometimes I don't post for months. Other times I update weekly, or even more than once a week.

When I add people, my dealbreakers are: Conservatives, overly religious people, pro-censorship folks, anti-choice, Trump and Putin supporters, racisis, queerphobes, TERFs, genAI enthusiasts.

Before adding me, you should know: I'm an anti-capitalist who believes there should be an UBI, free housing, and a 4 day work week (that's still no more than 8 hours). I'm queer, childfree, pro-choice, on disability, and I've had severe depression all my life. I'm not a cheery person, but I always try my best to be kind and supportive.

dark_kana posting in

3_good_things_a_day

1) a hot water bottle to sooth my aching muscles

2) good talk with hubby :-) Nothing special, but just a good talk ^^

3) hubby's mother is staying over for dinner

ysabetwordsmith

Decades after being restricted for cholesterol concerns, eggs are now on the short list of foods that protect the brain

Once feared for their high cholesterol, eggs are now recognized as a brain-boosting food. A new study reveals they actually help protect the aging brain.

Eggs: good or bad this decade?

Most foods, if taken apart and examined closely, have pros and cons. Just ignore the wildly swinging advice and focus on a balanced diet with as much diversity as you can manage, and avoid anything that causes a bad reaction for you body.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Everyone needs contact comfort sometimes. Not everyone has ample opportunities for this in facetime. So here is a chance for a cuddle party in cyberspace. Virtual cuddling can help people feel better.

We have a cuddle room that comes with fort cushions, fort frames, sheets for draping, and a weighted blanket. A nest full of colorful egg pillows sits in one corner. There is a basket of grooming brushes, hairbrushes, and styling combs. A bin holds textured pillows. There is a big basket of craft supplies along with art markers, coloring pages, and blank paper. The kitchen has a popcorn machine. Labels are available to mark dietary needs, recipe ingredients, and level of spiciness. Here is the bathroom, open to everyone. There is a lawn tent and an outdoor hot tub. Bathers should post a sign for nude or clothed activity. Come snuggle up!

Enjoy a feast for Halloween, Samhain, All Saints Day, Dia de los Muertos, or whatever you prefer...

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

This poem came out of the October 6, 2026 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by prompts from

labelleizzy and

see_also_friend. It also fills the "black and white" square in my 10-1-26 card for the Gothic Bingo Fest. This poem has been sponsored by

janetmiles. It belongs to the series Peculiar Obligations. Its sequel is "A Peaceful Air of Reflection."

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

This poem is spillover from the October 6, 2026 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by prompts from

jake67jake and

wyld_dandelyon. It also fills the "Women like us ... we forge our own path." square in my 10-1-26 card for the Gothic Bingo Fest. This poem has been sponsored by

janetmiles.

Warning: This poem deals in messy Arkansas politics.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

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sneetchwithoutastar

September 2010

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Of the stars.

Reading

Space Exploration

Science

Birdfeeding

Thursday 15/10/2026

Music

Community Thursdays

Artificial Intelligence

Poem: "Put Your Power on the Table"

New verses in "Save All the Pieces"

Poem: "The Function of the Citizen"

Today's Adventures

If you like coffee with oat milk and getting snowed in at the library...

Birdfeeding

I Am Here :3c

Hello!

Wednesday 14/10/2026

Food

Cuddle Party

Poem: "Deal with It Quicker"

Poem: "We Forge Our Own Path"

Profile

September 2010

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