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Study: Yes, tapping on frescoes can reveal defects

The US Capitol building in Washington, DC, is adorned with multiple lavish murals created in the 19th century by Italian artist Constantino Brumidi. These include panels in the Senate first-floor corridors, Room H-144, and the rotunda. The crowning glory is The Apotheosis of Washington on the dome of the rotunda, 180 feet above the floor.

Brumidi worked in various mediums, including frescoes. Among the issues facing conservators charged with maintaining the Capitol building frescoes is delamination. Artists apply dry pigments to wet plaster to create a fresco, and a good fresco can last for centuries. Over time, though, the decorative plaster layers can separate from the underlying masonry, introducing air gaps. Knowing precisely where such delaminated areas are, and their exact shape, is crucial to conservation efforts, yet the damage might not be obvious to the naked eye.

Acoustician Nicholas Gangemi is part of a research group led by Joseph Vignola at the Catholic University of America that has been using laser Doppler vibrometry to pinpoint delaminated areas of the Capitol building frescoes. It's a non-invasive method that zaps the frescoes with sound waves and measures the vibrational signatures that reflect back to learn about the structural conditions. This in turn enables conservators to make very precise repairs to preserve the frescoes for future generations.

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© Nick Gangemi

Scientists unlock more secrets of Rembrandt’s pigments in The Night Watch

The Nightwatch, or Militia Company of District II under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq (1642)

Enlarge / Rembrandt's The Night Watch underwent many chemical and mechanical alterations over the last 400 years. (credit: Public domain)

Since 2019, researchers have been analyzing the chemical composition of the materials used to create Rembrandt's masterpiece, The Night Watch, as part of the Rijksmuseum's ongoing Operation Night Watch, devoted to its long-term preservation. Chemists at the Rijksmuseum and the University of Amsterdam have now detected unusual arsenic-based yellow and orange/red pigments used to paint the duff coat of one of the central figures in the painting, according to a recent paper in the journal Heritage Science. It's a new addition to Rembrandt's known pigment palette that further adds to our growing body of knowledge about the materials he used.

As previously reported, past analyses of Rembrandt's paintings identified many pigments the Dutch master used in his work, including lead white, multiple ochres, bone black, vermilion, madder lake, azurite, ultramarine, yellow lake, and lead-tin yellow, among others. The artist rarely used pure blue or green pigments, with Belshazzar's Feast being a notable exception. (The Rembrandt Database is the best resource for a comprehensive chronicling of the many different investigative reports.)

Early last year, the researchers at Operation Night Watch found rare traces of a compound called lead formate in the painting—surprising in itself, but the team also identified those formates in areas where there was no lead pigment, white or yellow. It's possible that lead formates disappear fairly quickly, which could explain why they have not been detected in paintings by the Dutch Masters until now. But if that is the case, why didn't the lead formate disappear in The Night Watch? And where did it come from in the first place?

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An ultra-athlete goes head-to-head with the world’s most formidable sharks

Man in scuba gear on ocean floor standing next to giant hammerhead shark

Enlarge / Extreme sportsman Ross Edgley comes face to face with a great hammerhead shark in the waters of Bimini in the Bahamas. (credit: National Geographic/Nathalie Miles)

Ultra-athlete Ross Edgley is no stranger to pushing his body to extremes. He once ran a marathon while pulling a 1-ton car; ran a triathlon while carrying a 100-pound tree; and climbed a 65-foot rope over and over again until he'd climbed the equivalent of Mt. Everest—all for charity. In 2016, he set the world record for the world's longest staged sea swim around the coastline of Great Britain: 1,780 miles over 157 days.

At one point during that swim, a basking shark appeared and swam alongside Edgley for a day and a half. That experience ignited his curiosity about sharks and eventually led to his new National Geographic documentary, Shark vs. Ross Edgleypart of four full weeks of 2024 SHARKFEST programming. Edgley matches his athletic prowess against four different species of shark. He tries to jump out of the water (polaris) like a great white shark; withstand the G forces produced by a hammerhead shark's fast, rapid turns; mimic the extreme fasting and feasting regimen of a migrating tiger shark; and match the swimming speed of a mako shark.

"I love this idea of having a goal and then reverse-engineering and deconstructing it," Edgley told Ars. "[Sharks are] the ultimate ocean athletes. We just had this idea: what if you're crazy enough to try and follow in the footsteps of four amazing sharks? It's an impossible task. You're going to fail, you're going to be humbled. But in the process, we could use it as a sports/shark science experiment, almost like a Trojan horse to bring science and ocean conservation to a new audience."

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Embracing Eco-Friendly Living: A Sustainable Approach to Home Life

In an era where sustainability is more than a buzzword, embracing eco-friendly living at home is both a personal commitment and a global imperative. As we continue to witness the impacts of climate change, each household has the power to make a difference. Here’s a comprehensive guide to transforming your home into a haven of eco-consciousness, integrating principles that benefit both the…

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Exploring the World Through Volunteer Travel Opportunities

Volunteer travel, often referred to as “voluntourism,” combines the adventure of exploring new places with the fulfillment of giving back to communities in need. This unique approach to travel allows participants to engage deeply with local cultures while contributing to sustainable development projects. As an expert in travel, this article outlines various volunteer travel opportunities and…

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Guardian of the Depths: Hiroki's Quest for Ocean Conservation

Hiroki: Guardian of the Depths Using underwater gopro to help research for fisheries in Great Lakes


 In the serene town of Nishiizu, where the majestic waters of Suruga Bay kissed the rugged coastline of Japan, a tale of adventure and discovery unfolded. The year was 2023, and at the heart of this story was a spirited teenager named Hiroki, whose passion for the ocean depths knew no bounds. Hiroki had embarked on a remarkable journey, using underwater cameras to aid in research for the local fishery, "The Great Lakes Fisheries," a venture that aimed to revolutionize sustainable fishing practices in Japan.


Hiroki, with his unruly hair that mirrored the untamed sea and eyes as deep as the ocean, had always been fascinated by the aquatic world. His curiosity was sparked by tales of the mysterious creatures that dwelled beneath the waves, and the intricate ecosystems that thrived in the unseen corners of the bay. When "The Great Lakes Fisheries" announced a project to study these underwater realms, Hiroki knew he had to be a part of it.


The project was ambitious. Using state-of-the-art underwater cameras, the team aimed to map the bay's depths, catalog its marine life, and study their habitats to implement more sustainable fishing methods. For Hiroki, this was more than just a research project; it was an adventure, a chance to witness the wonders of the underwater world and contribute to its preservation.


Armed with his camera and an insatiable thirst for knowledge, Hiroki dove into the azure waters, capturing the vibrant coral reefs teeming with life, schools of shimmering fish darting through the water, and even the occasional, cautious approach of a curious octopus. Each dive was a journey into a world as alien as it was beautiful, filled with colors and forms that defied imagination.


However, Hiroki's adventures took a dramatic turn when he stumbled upon an ancient shipwreck, hidden away in the depths of the bay. The shipwreck was a time capsule, holding secrets of a bygone era, and it attracted an abundance of marine life, creating a unique ecosystem. But this discovery was more than just a historical artifact; it became a pivotal point in Hiroki's journey.


Inside the wreck, Hiroki found evidence of overfishing and its impact on the marine environment. This discovery led him on a new mission: to not only explore the wonders of the ocean but also to protect it. Hiroki used his footage to raise awareness about the importance of marine conservation, showcasing the beauty of Suruga Bay's underwater world and the urgent need to protect it for future generations.


Hiroki's efforts did not go unnoticed. "The Great Lakes Fisheries" embraced his findings, implementing new, more sustainable practices that balanced the needs of the local community with the preservation of marine life. Hiroki became a local hero, inspiring others, especially the youth, to take an active role in environmental conservation.


As the project concluded, Hiroki realized that his adventure had transformed him. He had started as a curious teenager, eager to explore the depths of the ocean, and emerged as a guardian of its treasures. His story, a blend of adventure, discovery, and conservation, resonated with young people across Japan, igniting a passion for the ocean and its preservation in the hearts of many.


Hiroki's journey was a testament to the power of curiosity and the impact one individual can have on the world. In the serene waters of Suruga Bay, he had found his calling, and in doing so, he had helped secure a brighter future for its inhabitants, both above and below the waves.

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