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Cosmic Bursts, Chewing Gum Plastic, & a Fossil's Secrets
The Point by Modern Sciences - October 1, 2025
Don Smith
October 01, 2025
By The Modern Sciences Team | October 1, 2025 |
Welcome to October, Cultivators of Curiosity!
Welcome to the 39th volume of The Point by Modern Sciences! To mark this milestone, we're diving into discoveries that challenge core assumptions and reveal the unseen forces shaping our world—from the cosmic to the commonplace.
First, we explore a revolutionary theory that could eliminate the need for dark matter and dark energy entirely. Instead of these mysterious forces, what if the universe’s expansion is driven by fleeting, unseeable bursts of energy? It’s an idea that could fundamentally rewrite our understanding of the cosmos. Then, we zoom in on an object you might have in your pocket right now: chewing gum. We reveal why it should be classified not as simple litter, but as persistent plastic pollution, a re-framing that shifts responsibility from the sidewalk to the manufacturer. Finally, we travel back 444 million years to examine a fossil so exquisitely preserved that its internal muscles and gut tissue remain intact. This stunning discovery offers an unprecedented glimpse into the biology of early life after a mass extinction.
SPACE
New Theory Proposes "Transient Singularities" as Solution to Dark Matter and Dark Energy Mysteries
Dr. Richard Lieu's new theory proposes that "transient temporal singularities" could explain cosmic expansion, replacing the need for dark matter and dark energy. Though unobservable, these brief bursts of energy and matter provide the necessary "negative pressure" to drive the universe’s accelerating expansion, challenging current models and offering new paths for understanding cosmic mysteries.
The Point:
A new theory challenges dark matter and dark energy models: Dr. Richard Lieu proposes that the universe’s expansion may result from rare, rapid bursts of energy—called transient temporal singularities—rather than the constant presence of dark matter or dark energy.
Transient singularities offer a novel mechanism for cosmic expansion: These fleeting events may create "negative pressure" across the universe, mimicking dark energy’s effects and reshaping our understanding of how gravity and matter influence large-scale cosmic structures.
Future observations may reveal evidence of these bursts: Lieu’s theory will be tested using deep-space telescope data and redshift analysis, potentially uncovering signs of these singularities and providing alternative explanations for how the universe expands.
EARTH
Chewing gum is plastic pollution, not a litter problem
Chewing gum is more than sticky litter—it is a hidden source of plastic pollution. Made with synthetic materials like those in tires and glue, it lingers in the environment for decades. With billions of pieces produced annually, its impact rivals other single-use plastics. Redefining it as pollution, not litter, shifts responsibility to manufacturers, not just consumers.
The Point:
Chewing Gum as Plastic Pollution: Most commercial chewing gums contain synthetic rubber and plastic materials like styrene-butadiene and polyethylene, making them a significant but often overlooked source of plastic pollution. Globally, over 730,000 tonnes of synthetic gum base are produced each year, contributing to long-lasting environmental waste.
Challenges of Disposal and Cleanup: Discarded gum does not biodegrade and eventually breaks down into microplastics, persisting in the environment for decades. Cleanup efforts are costly and labor-intensive, with UK councils spending millions annually to remove gum from streets, yet current solutions focus more on cleanup than prevention.
Solutions and Accountability: Addressing gum pollution requires stricter regulations, public awareness, and manufacturer accountability. Possible measures include clearer labeling, a tax on synthetic gum, investment in plant-based alternatives, and reframing the issue as pollution rather than just littering to shift responsibility to producers.
NATURE
Newly Discovered Fossil Offers Unprecedented Look at Ancient Arthropod’s Internal Anatomy
A 444-million-year-old fossil reveals the rare internal anatomy of an ancient arthropod, including muscles and gut tissue. Found in South Africa’s Soom Shale, the specimen lacks a head and legs but preserves soft tissues due to oxygen-poor, toxic conditions. This discovery offers a rare glimpse into early marine life shortly after a mass extinction.
The Point:
Ancient fossil reveals internal anatomy: Scientists uncovered Keurbos susanae, a 444-million-year-old arthropod fossil with preserved muscles, tendons, and gut—an exceptionally rare find.
Discovered in South Africa’s Soom Shale: The fossil’s soft tissues were preserved due to toxic, oxygen-free waters following a mass extinction, offering a rare glimpse into life’s recovery.
Evolutionary puzzle piece: Though headless and legless, the fossil’s interior details may help researchers understand early arthropod evolution despite classification challenges.