Major Data Leak Affects 86 Million AT&T Customers, Researchers Warn

Recent findings indicate that Earth's energy imbalance has more than doubled over the past two decades, defying climate model predictions, as detailed in a study published in AGU Advances on May 10. In 2023, the imbalance reached 1.8 watts per square meter, a figure notably higher than earlier estimates. Researchers attribute this phenomenon to increased greenhouse gas emissions, which retain heat in the atmosphere, although the specific causes for the rapid escalation remain unclear. Thorsten Mauritsen, a meteorology professor at Stockholm University and lead author of the commentary, stressed the urgency for ongoing monitoring. NASA's satellites, which provide critical data on this imbalance, are nearing the end of their operational lives. Concerns arise over the upcoming replacement mission, Libera, which will deploy only one satellite, risking potential data gaps. The implications of a growing energy imbalance are severe, as it accelerates climate change and complicates efforts to stabilize global temperatures. Mauritsen warned that without understanding the causes of this imbalance, humanity faces significant challenges in mitigating future climatic impacts.

A tragic incident in Texas has resulted in the death of a 71-year-old woman who contracted Naegleria fowleri, a rare and deadly brain-eating amoeba, after using tap water for a nasal irrigation device. According to a report by the Texas Department of State Health Services, the woman fell ill four days post-usage of the nasal rinse filled with water from an RV's system at a campground. Medical experts noted she exhibited severe neurological symptoms, including fever, headache, and altered mental state. Despite receiving treatment, she suffered from seizures and succumbed to the infection eight days later. Lab tests confirmed the presence of Naegleria fowleri in her cerebrospinal fluid. Naegleria fowleri is commonly found in warm freshwater environments and infects individuals when contaminated water enters through the nose, causing primary amebic meningoencephalitis, a severe infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises against using untreated tap water for sinus rinsing, recommending distilled or sterile alternatives to prevent infection.

Astronomers using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have identified several unexpected molecules, including silicon monoxide (SiO), in the atmosphere of the exoplanet WASP-121b, marking its first detection in any planetary atmosphere. Findings were reported in studies published on June 2 in *Nature Astronomy* and *The Astronomical Journal*. WASP-121b, a gas giant located approximately 880 light-years from Earth, is about 1.2 times more massive and 1.8 times wider than Jupiter. This extreme "hell planet" orbits its sun every 30.5 hours, with its day side reaching temperatures of around 5,500 degrees Fahrenheit (about 3,000 degrees Celsius). The presence of SiO suggests origins from silicate-rich materials that may have evaporated from asteroids within its atmosphere, according to Anjali Piette of the University of Birmingham. The extraordinary resolution of the JWST allows researchers to deepen their understanding of gas giant atmospheres under extreme conditions. "Studying the chemistry of ultra hot planets like WASP-121b helps us to understand how gas giant atmospheres work," stated Joanna Barstow, a planetary scientist involved in the studies.