Research geolocates more than 200 cities in Spain and Latin America whose names refer to Greco-Roman antiquity

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid

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Credit: The_Double_A in Pixabay

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) has developed an interactive catalogue with the geolocation of cities in Spain and Latin America that have been given names from Greco-Roman antiquity or have been compared to ancient cities. This initiative, developed as part of the ANTIMO research project, seeks to offer a new perspective on modernization, progress and the construction of political models through classical references.

The map not only refers to the two main Greco-Roman cities, Athens and Rome, but also includes a wide variety of names and locations. "We have identified more than 200 cities, but we know there are still more to be discovered. In addition, we have located geographical areas that, although not cities, also refer to classical antiquity and could enrich this catalogue in the future," explains the researcher leading this project, Mirella Romero Recio, director of the Julio Caro Baroja Institute of Historiography at UC3M.

The registry, which is designed as an academic reference tool and has been developed by UC3M research staff in collaboration with the University's library service, allows the user to locate these cities through different types of searches, including by name (both ancient and modern cities) and via a map or virtual globe. When you select a city, you can access a file with detailed information linking its name to the classical legacy to which it alludes, as well as the source where it is mentioned and the text in which it is cited.

"The UC3M library has played a key role in standardizing the data and defining the criteria that govern this cataloguing system," comments Teresa Boyer Lagos, director of the UC3M Library of Humanities, Communication and Documentation. "One of the main challenges has been mapping the metadata under the Dublin Core international standard, which guarantees the interoperability and standardization of the system for its future integration into scientific repositories and open data platforms."

The project also builds and expands on previous research carried out as part of the RIPOMPHEI project, which analysed the role of the city of Pompeii in the imaginary of Ibero-American elites as a symbol of modernity and distinction from the colonial past. It also attempts to go beyond simple toponymic compilation to explore how references to Greece and Rome have been instrumentalized in different historical and political contexts.

"Comparisons with Athens and Rome are not only used as urban similes, but are employed in modern discourse to legitimize policies and project societal ideals. For example, cities that want to stand out for their prestige in relation to the arts and literature are usually compared to Athens. Rome, on the other hand, is used by cities that want to stand out for their political or economic power," explains Mirella Romero. "However, in recent years we have seen how certain political figures invoke authoritarian models from the Roman past to justify reactionary and masculinized positions of power."

In the coming years, the research team plans to further develop lines of study that incorporate a gender perspective. One of its priority objectives will be to highlight women who, at different historical moments, used the legacy of antiquity as an argument to defend their rights, access to education and participation in political life.

The ANTIMO project, "Modernized Antiquity: Greece and Rome at the service of the idea of civilization, order and progress in Spain and Latin America", has been funded by Spain’s Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, the Spanish State Research Agency (PID2021-123745NB-I00, MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

More information:

https://humanidadesdigitales.uc3m.es/s/antimo/page/inicio1

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xs2P0ZFEv5k

CITIZEN SCIENCE

Study uses data from birdwatchers to find regional fire effects on bird populations

Cornell University

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Ithaca, NY—A new study published today in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment leveraged participatory science to reveal regional variation in bird responses to fire across the continental United States in unprecedented detail. These results can help refine fire management techniques to bolster bird populations.

The researchers analyzed data for six bird species of conservation concern whose habitat needs have a tangible impact on fire management decision-making. They unveiled clear, highly detailed regional variation in the ways that wildfire impacts bird populations. For instance, population abundance of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers—a Yellow Alert Tipping Point species protected under the Endangered Species Act—showed the strongest positive responses to frequent fire in Louisiana and North Carolina compared to other states in the southeastern U.S.

On the other hand, the analysis also revealed opposite impacts in different areas of the U.S.:  populations of American Goshawk—a hawk species known to be sensitive to fire—in California and Colorado were more abundant in areas that hadn’t seen fire in a long time, while populations in Idaho were less abundant as time passed since the last wildfire. This kind of detailed information may help fire managers refine when, where, and how often they should use prescribed fires.

“If we're looking to manage forest and fire conditions for biodiversity, it's not one size fits all,” said lead author Andrew Stillman, a quantitative applied ecologist for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Center of Avian Population Studies. “We need local information to tailor our management strategies to those local conditions.”

The wealth of detail this study demonstrated was thanks to the efforts of birders across the continent, who provided data of a size and scope scientists alone could not obtain. The research team analyzed over 31 million lists of bird observations from the Cornell Lab’s eBird—a participatory science platform in which anyone around the world can submit their bird observations. They combined eBird data with data on wildfire frequency, severity, and timing across the U.S. between 2011 and 2021.

Being able to analyze subtle local and regional differences in wildfire impacts was previously a “big missing piece of the puzzle” regarding fire management, Stillman said. Fire management guidelines already exist across the U.S., as fire can be beneficial and maintain or increase biodiversity in certain ecosystems. But ecologists previously lacked insight into small-scale nuances—a gap that eBird data can now help fill.

The Cornell Lab partnered with researchers from the U.S. Forest Service for this study, so the results of the analysis will have a tangible impact on fire management techniques to support bird populations going forward. One such technique is prescribed burns—controlled, intentional fires that benefit some ecosystems.

According to Sarah Sawyer, the national wildlife ecologist for the U.S. Forest Service and co-author of the study, prescribed burn plans can be revised frequently to account for the latest scientific information, and the results of this paper could inform implementation “nearly immediately.”

“I don't think [any of the results] went against current management thinking or scientific understanding, but it certainly added a whole lot of nuance,” Sawyer said.

The research team is now analyzing the responses of more than 100 bird species to fire in the Western U.S., where wildfires have increased in frequency and intensity in recent years. The scientists are optimistic that these studies, powered by eBird data, will improve fire management and benefit wildlife and ecosystem health.

“Unpacking the complicated ways that fire impacts animals is a tough nut to crack,” Stillman said. “But the thing that is finally allowing us to do it at this scale is the devoted data collection of volunteer birders from around the world. It’s everyday people from all walks of life, and I find that so encouraging.”

This research was made possible by the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, The Wolf Creek Foundation, the National Science Foundation, and donors and contributors to eBird

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Stillman, A.N., G.M. Jones, M. Strimas-Mackey, G. Duran, C. Andrews, S. Ligocki, T. Auer, V. Ruiz-Gutierrez, S.C. Sawyer, and D. Fink. 2025. Evaluating macroecological fire impacts on bird populations. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.70003. 

Editors: Download images. The use of this material is protected by copyright. Use is permitted only within stories about the content of this release. Redistribution or any other use is prohibited without express written permission of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology or the copyright owner.

About the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a nonprofit, member-supported organization dedicated to the understanding and protection of birds, wildlife, and our shared planet through research, education, participatory science, and conservation. The mission of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is to interpret and conserve the earth’s biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds.

Media Contact:
Kathi Borgmann, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, (607) 254-2137, klb274@cornell.edu

 

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Journal

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment

DOI

10.1002/fee.70003 

Method of Research

Computational simulation/modeling

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

Evaluating macroecological fire impacts on bird populations

Article Publication Date

2-Sep-2025

 SPACE/COSMOS

Magnetic fields in the infant universe may have been billions of times weaker than a fridge magnet

Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati

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The magnetic fields that formed in the very early stages of the Universe, may have been billions of times weaker than a small fridge magnet, with strengths comparable to magnetism generated by neurons in the human brain. Yet, despite such weakness, quantifiable traces of their existence still remain in the cosmic web, the visible cosmic structures connected throughout the Universe. These conclusions emerge from a study using around a quarter of a million computer simulations, conducted by a team from SISSA (the International School for Advanced Studies based in Trieste) in collaboration with the Universities of Hertfordshire, Cambridge, Nottingham, Stanford, and Potsdam. Observational data were subsequently used to validate these findings. The research, recently published in Physical Review Letters, specifies both possible and maximum values for the strengths of primordial magnetic fields. It also offers the possibility of refining our knowledge of the early Universe and the formation of the first stars and galaxies.

A magnetic cosmic web

“The cosmic web, of which much remains to be discovered, is a filamentary structure connecting the galaxies that permeates the Universe. One of its many unsolved mysteries is why it is magnetised, not only near galaxies, where this might be expected, but also in distant regions that are sparsely populated and constitute the bulk of the cosmic web. This is harder to explain”. These comments come from Mak Pavičević, a SISSA PhD student and lead author of the research, and Matteo Viel, his supervisor and co-author of the study. "Our hypothesis was that this could be a legacy of events occurring in cosmic epochs during the birth of the Universe, and that magnetism was linked essentially to physical processes in the primordial Universe. For example, the filaments would have become magnetised during the inflation process before the so-called "Big Bang" or through events in later epochs, called phase transitions. This is what we sought to ascertain with our work. We also wished to assess the magnitude of these primordial magnetic fields through our investigations, establishing an upper limit and attempting to measure their strengths."

At the origin of the Universe with a quarter of a million simulations

The international team used over 250,000 computer simulations to study the cosmic web and better understand the influence of primordial magnetic fields. Vid Iršič from University of Hertfordshire, and a co-author of the study, emphasises that “these are the most realistic and largest suite state-of-the-art simulations of the influence of primordial magnetic field on the intergalactic cosmic web.” Pavičević and Viel explain: "By comparing these simulations with observational data, we saw that our hypotheses were correct. When the influence of primordial fields is included in the picture, the cosmic web looks different and more in agreement with observed data. In particular, we can say that a standard model of the Universe with a very weak magnetic field of around 0.2 nano-gauss actually fits experimental data much better."

The magnitude of primordial magnetic fields: a new upper limit

The scientists have derived a particularly low value for the magnitude of the primordial magnetic fields, establishing a new upper limit several times lower than previously estimated. Pavičević and Viel continue: "Our research thus places strict limits on the intensity of magnetic fields formed in the very early moments of the Universe and is consistent with recent results obtained in independent data and studies on the cosmic microwave background. The two scientists explain: "This evidence will help us to improve our understanding of events in the early Universe. The magnetic field would have increased the density of the cosmic web, in turn accelerating the process of star and galaxy formation. It will be possible to further validate our results through observations made by the James Webb Space Telescope." Vid Iršič concludes: “Not only will these new limits help us understand the impact of the primordial magnetic fields on the evolution of the Cosmo, but they also hold important implications for other theoretical models that enhance structure formation”.

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Journal

Physical Review Letters

DOI

10.1103/77rd-vkpz 

Method of Research

Computational simulation/modeling

$1.39 million grant to enhance CHARA Array’s vision

The observatory is set to unveil the cosmos in sharper focus, capturing stars across the visible and near-infrared spectrum like never before

Georgia State University

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The CHARA Array is set to unveil the cosmos in sharper focus, capturing stars across the visible and near-infrared spectrum like never before.

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Credit: Courtesy: Georgia State University

ATLANTA — A new $1.39 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) will upgrade Georgia State University’s CHARA Array, giving it the ability to observe stars across the full visible and near-infrared spectrum.

The funding from the NSF’s Major Research Instrumentation Program will equip the Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy (CHARA) Array with state-of-the-art optics, controllers and a sensitive tracking detector, allowing simultaneous observations across visible and near-infrared wavelengths. The advancement will allow researchers and students from around the world to explore the universe — from local star systems to distant galaxies — in unprecedented detail.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see what’s possible when curiosity meets cutting-edge technology,” said Array Director Gail Schaefer. “We are committed to delivering a world-class experience for astronomers exploring the cosmos and this upgrade gives our scientists a powerful new way to image stars in different wavelengths at the same time.”

What Is the Array and How Does It Work?

The CHARA Array is a powerful telescope system used to study stars and other objects in space in incredible detail. It’s made up of six separate telescopes that work together as one giant telescope. This setup allows scientists to see extremely fine detail.

The telescopes, spread across a large area on Mount Wilson in California, combine their light using a technique called interferometry. It’s as if six eyes are all looking at the same object, and those views are merged to form one crystal-clear image.

Operated by Georgia State University, CHARA is like a super-precise cosmic zoom lens that helps astronomers get a closer, clearer look at the universe.

What’s New?

With the upgraded instrumentation expected to come online in 2028, experts expect a fresh surge of new discoveries. From exploring stellar nurseries to mapping the fabric of the universe, the upgraded array will remain a cornerstone of Georgia State’s scientific infrastructure for years to come.

“The CHARA Array hosts state-of-the-art cameras built by partners at the University of Michigan, the University of Exeter (UK) and the Université de la Côte d’Azur (France), but we had difficulties using them together,” explained Doug Gies, Regents' Professor of Physics and Astronomy and director of CHARA. “With this new NSF award, we will soon have the means to use them simultaneously across the color spectrum. With these new capabilities, CHARA will be able to explore the universe with unprecedented clarity, inspiring new discoveries and a new generation of astronomers.”

Georgia State Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Nicolle Parsons-Pollard shared her pride in the progress of the university’s astronomy program and its commitment to supporting world-class research.

“This is outstanding news and a significant achievement for both CHARA and Georgia State University,” she said. “The enhanced ability to observe stars across the full spectrum of visible and near-infrared light marks a remarkable advancement, firmly positioning Georgia State at the forefront of astronomical research.”

The CHARA Array is funded by the National Science Foundation. Institutional support for the CHARA Array is provided from Georgia State’s College of Arts & Sciences and the Office of the Provost.

For more information about Georgia State University research and its impact, visit research.gsu.edu. For more information about the CHARA Array, visit the CHARA Array website.

New study reveals origin of the fastest white dwarfs in the galaxy

New study uncovers explosive pathway to hypervelocity white dwarfs and unusual Type Ia supernovae

Technion-Israel Institute of Technology

In a breakthrough study published in Nature Astronomy, researchers have discovered a new origin for some of the fastest stars ever observed: hypervelocity white dwarfs — compact stellar remnants hurtling through space faster than 2000 km/s.

 

Led by Dr. Hila Glanz of the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, the international team performed state-of-the-art three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations of a merger between two rare hybrid helium–carbon–oxygen white dwarfs. The results reveal a dramatic sequence of events: as the lighter star is partially disrupted, the heavier one undergoes a double-detonation explosion, slingshotting the surviving remnant of its companion into space at hypervelocity speeds exceeding 2000 kilometers per second — fast enough to escape the gravitational grip of the Milky Way.

 

“This is the first time we've seen a clean pathway where the remnants of a white dwarf merger can be launched at hypervelocity, with properties matching the hot, faint white dwarfs we observe in the halo,” said Dr. Glanz. “This solves the mystery about the origin of these stellar runaways — and also opens up a new channel for faint and peculiar Type Ia supernovae.”

 

Unlike previously proposed scenarios, the new model accounts for both the extreme velocities and unusual temperatures and brightness of known HVWDs, such as the stars J0546 and J0927. It also offers insight into underluminous thermonuclear explosions, which are crucial tools for measuring the universe’s expansion and for understanding how elements are formed in galaxies.

 

“This discovery doesn’t just help us understand hypervelocity stars — it gives us a window into new kinds of stellar explosions,” said co-author Prof. Hagai Perets, also of the Technion.

The study was conducted by researchers from the Technion, Universität Potsdam, and the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics, combining high-performance simulations with new theoretical modeling.

 

The work has implications for upcoming transient surveys and Gaia data releases, which may uncover more of these elusive stellar cannonballs flying through the galaxy.

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Journal

Nature Astronomy

DOI

10.1038/s41550-025-02633-4 

Method of Research

Computational simulation/modeling

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

The origin of hypervelocity white dwarfs in the merger disruption of He–C–O white dwarfs

 

Shake It Off – Scientists harness Taylor Swift concert to measure seismic activity and boost science engagement

The seismic activity generated by Taylor Swift’s concerts in Dublin in 2024 provided a unique opportunity for scientific engagement and education, according to the authors of a groundbreaking new study.

Trinity College Dublin

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The seismic activity generated by Taylor Swift’s concerts in Dublin in 2024 provided a unique opportunity for scientific engagement and education, according to the authors of a groundbreaking new study. 

Geophysicist Eleanor Dunn from the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies hit the headlines in July 2024 with her #SwiftQuakeDublin project studying the seismic activity generated by Taylor Swift's concerts in Dublin. 

Now the PhD student and one of her supervisors, Professor Joseph Roche from the School of Education, Trinity College Dublin, have published an academic paper in the International Journal of Science Education about the power of pop culture events to boost scientific understanding and engagement.

The paper, “Are you ready for it? Harnessing celebrity influence for science communication and seismology – The Taylor Swift effect”, describes the powerful potential for celebrity influence in science communication and public understanding of science. 

In June 2024, as Taylor Swift played three record-breaking nights at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, researchers installed 42 temporary seismometers across 21 locations surrounding the venue. This extensive network allowed them to meticulously record and compare the seismic impact of the concerts with the readings from the Irish National Seismic Network (INSN). 

Measuring this "SwiftQuake" garnered public and media attention through strategic social and traditional media campaigns, captivating fans and the wider public alike. Following the concerts, the team analysed the collected seismic data, sharing their findings with audiences and inviting fans to contribute their concert videos to aid in the seismic analysis. 

Seismic signals measured at the stadium for songs such as Shake It Off were matched with patterns detected by the national network in the Dublin mountains and in Wexford, showing the SwiftQuake being detected more than 100km away. 

By examining the extensive social and traditional media output, the study highlights how cultural events with massive public appeal can be leveraged to engage citizens and enhance their understanding of complex scientific concepts.

Lead author Eleanor Dunn, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, explains: "This project was an incredible opportunity to bridge the gap between celebrity pop culture and scientific inquiry. Witnessing the public's enthusiasm, especially from Swifties, for understanding how their collective energy translated into measurable seismic waves was truly inspiring. It showed us that science is all around us, even in our favourite music events!

“This study demonstrates that integrating popular cultural events into scientific research can create accessible and exciting avenues for public engagement, transforming audiences into active participants in scientific discovery.”

Professor Joseph Roche, co-author of the study, from the School of Education, Trinity College Dublin, praised Dunn's innovative approach. “Eleanor's research showcases the power of interdisciplinary thinking, combining seismology, science communication, and celebrity studies. It’s a brilliant example of what happens when a researcher combines their unique research skills with their personal passions. Eleanor is a dedicated Swiftie and, once this study is published, Taylor is going to be just as big a fan of Eleanor's research!"

Key Findings:

• Innovative Engagement: The deployment of 42 seismometers around a major concert venue successfully captured the seismic impact of a large-scale cultural event.
• Public Interest: Strategic social and traditional media campaigns generated significant public interest in seismology and science communication.
• Citizen Science Potential: The project successfully invited and utilised fan-contributed content for scientific analysis, showcasing a unique form of citizen science.
• Pop Culture as a Catalyst: The research confirms the potential of pop culture events to act as powerful catalysts for scientific understanding and engagement.

 The full paper, “Are you ready for it? Harnessing celebrity influence for science communication and seismology – The Taylor Swift effect,” is available to read on the journal website. 

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Journal

International Journal of Science Education

DOI

10.1080/21548455.2025.2534042 

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Are you ready for it? Harnessing celebrity influence for science communication and seismology – The Taylor Swift effect