At the heart of every galaxy lies a monumental presence: a supermassive black hole. These cosmic titans, possessing gravitational pull equivalent to millions or even billions of our suns, command the galactic core.

Astronomers have long grappled with the origins of supermassive black holes and the mechanisms behind their immense growth. Initial scientific hypotheses suggested these cosmic giants followed a similar formation path to their smaller counterparts. This theory posited that massive stars would collapse, creating sun-sized black holes. These nascent black holes would then gradually accumulate surrounding matter and merge with others over eons, eventually reaching their colossal current sizes.

Here are a few paraphrased options for “But it has become increasingly clear this model is broken,” with a journalistic tone:

**More direct and impactful:**

* However, it is now abundantly evident that this approach has failed.
* The evidence mounts that this established system is no longer viable.
* It’s becoming undeniably apparent that the current framework is unsustainable.

**Slightly more nuanced:**

* Yet, the persistent issues highlight a fundamental flaw in this model.
* A growing consensus suggests that this operational structure has reached its breaking point.
* The persistent challenges underscore the realization that this strategy is faltering.

**More formal:**

* Nevertheless, the ongoing developments clearly indicate the obsolescence of this model.
* It has become increasingly evident that this particular paradigm is no longer effective.

Choose the option that best fits the specific context and desired emphasis of your writing.

**Webb Telescope Uncovers Astonishingly Large Black Holes in the Early Universe, Challenging Existing Theories**

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has delivered a groundbreaking discovery, pushing the boundaries of our understanding of cosmic evolution. The observatory has detected colossal black holes that existed remarkably early in the universe’s history, far exceeding the size predicted by current scientific models. This unexpected finding suggests that these celestial giants may have formed through extraordinary and previously unconsidered mechanisms.

Astronomers are now actively working to unravel the complex narrative behind these early behemoths. Their existence points towards a paradigm shift in our comprehension of black hole formation, hinting at a universe that may have been far more dynamic and capable of fostering such massive structures much sooner than previously thought. The research is paving the way for new theoretical frameworks that can accommodate these unprecedented cosmic finds.

**Ancient Giants: Black Holes May Predate Stars and Galaxies**

Groundbreaking new research indicates that colossal black holes might have been present from the universe’s infancy, potentially even predating the formation of stars and galaxies. These primordial giants appear to have emerged through a variety of mechanisms. While ongoing astronomical discoveries are expected to clarify the relative importance of each formation pathway, scientists are already buzzing with excitement as they make progress in unraveling a profound cosmic enigma.

Astrophysicist Roberto Maiolino of the University of Cambridge described the current period as a “real revolution” in the scientific community’s comprehension of how celestial bodies form, calling it “one of the most exciting phases of my career.”

In the early 2000s, groundbreaking observations began to challenge our understanding of the universe’s vastness. Instruments such as the Sloan Digital Sky Survey collected data on tens of thousands of incredibly luminous objects known as quasars, located in the distant cosmos.

These brilliant celestial bodies are believed to be massive black holes residing at the hearts of galaxies. They sustain themselves by consuming enormous quantities of gas and dust, subsequently emitting potent streams of radiation. The Sloan survey revealed a surprising prevalence of these quasars when the universe was a mere 800 million years old, a tiny fraction of its current estimated age of 13.8 billion years.

The presence of these colossal objects, boasting masses ranging from millions to billions of times that of our sun, presented a significant puzzle for cosmologists, prompting further scientific inquiry into the early universe.

Here are a few paraphrased options, each with a slightly different emphasis, presented in a journalistic tone:

**Option 1 (Focus on Formation and Scale):**

> The genesis of most black holes is tied to the dramatic demise of colossal stars. Upon exhausting their fuel, these stellar giants detonate in brilliant supernovae. The aftermath sees the star’s core compress into an impossibly dense singularity, a point of no return from which even light cannot break free. These “stellar-mass” black holes typically weigh in at 10 to 100 times the mass of our Sun. While they can indeed coalesce over time, merging to form even more massive entities, the early universe’s timeline seemed insufficient to account for the immense scale required for quasar-sized black holes to form through such accretion.

**Option 2 (More Concise and Direct):**

> A typical black hole is born from the explosive death of a massive star. When these giants meet their end in a supernova, their core implodes, creating a superdense point that traps everything, including light. These stellar remnants are usually between 10 and 100 solar masses. Although these black holes can merge and grow, the early cosmic era presented a temporal challenge, making it improbable that such mergers alone could have produced the gargantuan black holes observed at quasar scales so soon after the universe’s inception.

**Option 3 (Emphasizing the “Time Crunch” for Early Quasars):**

> The conventional pathway to black hole formation involves the spectacular supernova of a giant star, leading to a gravitational collapse of its core into an inescapable singularity. These stellar-sized black holes, typically weighing 10 to 100 times the Sun’s mass, can grow by merging with others. However, the universe’s earliest epochs present a temporal puzzle: the time available in cosmic history seemingly wasn’t long enough for these merging processes to build black holes to the colossal sizes required to power quasars.

**Key changes made and why:**

* **Word Choice:** Replaced words like “huge,” “fiery,” “titanic,” and “superdense” with more descriptive or precise terms like “colossal,” “brilliant,” “impossibly dense,” or “gravitational collapse.”
* **Sentence Structure:** Varied sentence beginnings and lengths to improve flow and engagement.
* **Active vs. Passive Voice:** Primarily used active voice for a more direct and dynamic feel.
* **Figurative Language:** “Point of no return” and “temporal challenge” add a journalistic flair without being overly poetic.
* **Clarity:** Ensured the explanation of stellar collapse and the problem of early quasar formation remains clear.
* **Journalistic Tone:** Aimed for objective, factual reporting with a professional and informative style.

Astrophysicist Ignas Juodzbalis of the University of Cambridge explained to Live Science that the team’s initial hypothesis was that the celestial bodies in question either formed with remarkable speed or through entirely different mechanisms than currently understood.

Scientists are exploring a compelling theory to explain the formation of supermassive black holes. One prominent idea suggests that in the early universe, vast accumulations of gas and dust possessed enough gravitational pull to collapse under their own weight. This immense collapse could have directly birthed “direct-collapse black holes,” objects far more massive than our sun, ranging from a thousand to a million times its size. These nascent black holes would then have expanded their prodigious appetites, consuming surrounding gas and dust and merging with others to eventually become the colossal supermassive black holes observed at the heart of galaxies today.

Here are a few paraphrased options, maintaining a journalistic tone and the core meaning:

**Option 1 (Focus on Transformation):**

> Scientists anticipated that these ravenous black holes, as they consumed matter, would transform into incredibly luminous objects, outshining their entire host galaxies. These would be the powerful beacons known as quasars.

**Option 2 (Focus on Brightness Comparison):**

> Theoretical models indicated a dramatic shift: as these black holes devoured material, their brightness would surge to levels comparable to, or even exceeding, the combined light of all the stars in their host galaxies. This intense luminosity would signify their emergence as quasars.

**Option 3 (More Concise):**

> According to predictions, the voracious feeding of these black holes would render them extraordinarily bright, their luminosity rivaling or surpassing that of their host galaxies. Such brilliant entities are identified as quasars.

**Option 4 (Emphasizing the “Gorging” Aspect):**

> The process of these black holes feasting on surrounding matter was expected to ignite them with immense brilliance, making them appear as luminous as, or even brighter than, their entire host galaxies. This phenomenon would mark their evolution into quasars.

In a pivotal astronomical discovery made in 2023, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) pinpointed an extraordinarily distant galaxy, designated UHZ1. This ancient stellar system, observed when the universe was a mere 470 million years old, provides compelling evidence that aligns neatly with the direct-collapse black hole model. Crucially, UHZ1 harbors a colossal black hole with an estimated mass equivalent to 40 million suns.

The detection of UHZ1 marked a fortunate convergence for astronomers, as it was simultaneously observed by two pivotal instruments: the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which specializes in infrared light, and NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, sensitive to high-energy X-rays. This dual perspective proved invaluable. Infrared emissions predominantly reveal the presence of stars and warm dust heated by their radiation, while the more powerful X-rays serve as a definitive signature, blasting forth from a voracious, actively feeding black hole.

Observations of UHZ1 have unveiled an extraordinary phenomenon: its infrared and X-ray emissions display remarkable similarity. This unusual spectral balance strongly indicates the presence of a supermassive black hole of such immense proportions that its mass nearly matches that of *all* the stars within its host galaxy.

To put this into perspective, our own Milky Way galaxy’s central black hole represents a mere fraction—around 1/20,000th—of its total stellar, gas, and dust mass. The sheer scale of UHZ1’s black hole, relative to its galaxy, is utterly unprecedented in astronomical observations, marking a discovery unlike anything seen before.

Yet, the scientific community was prepared. Researchers had precisely modeled the distinctive spectral “colors” and other key properties that a direct-collapse black hole would display to the James Webb Space Telescope, creating a detailed blueprint for its identification.

Yale University astrophysicist Priyamvada Natarajan, the lead author of the paper outlining these predictions, informed Live Science that the object UHZ1 has been found to align perfectly with every anticipated characteristic.

UHZ1 is far from an isolated case. Since its activation, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has consistently detected a multitude of compact, reddish structures that predominantly existed during the universe’s formative period, roughly 500 million to 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang.

These intriguing phenomena, known informally as “little red dots,” initially baffled astronomers. Their extreme brightness and compact nature led to speculation they were galaxies far too massive to have formed so early in cosmic history. This perplexing observation earned them the moniker “universe breakers,” as they seemed to defy established models of galactic formation and the early cosmos.

However, the scientific consensus is rapidly evolving. Rather than impossibly large galaxies, the prevailing hypothesis now points to these “little red dots” being colossal, enigmatic black holes, presenting a new understanding of the universe’s most ancient and powerful objects.

Astronomers have precisely measured the immense mass of a distant object, QSO1, which was active when the universe was just 700 million years old. Discovered in 2023, QSO1 has been a subject of intense scrutiny.

A recent study focused on the gas orbiting the object’s core. The speed at which this gas swirls is directly influenced by the gravitational pull of the central mass. By analyzing these velocities, researchers have determined that QSO1 possesses a mass equivalent to approximately 50 million suns.

Crucially, the investigation revealed that this substantial mass is concentrated in a small area surrounding the black hole. The findings suggest a minimal presence of a large stellar population, indicating that the vast majority of the object’s mass is attributable to its central black hole.

Astronomers remain puzzled by the apparent absence of a host galaxy for a recently observed celestial phenomenon, according to Lukas Furtak, an astronomer at the University of Texas at Austin. “We still don’t see where the host galaxy is,” Furtak told Live Science, adding, “There doesn’t really seem to be one.”

Astronomers may have finally spotted elusive “rogue” black holes – colossal voids of gravity that exist without the comforting presence of a host galaxy, a phenomenon previously confined to theoretical models. These enigmatic entities appear to be lurking within what observers have identified as numerous small red dots.

Further bolstering this groundbreaking discovery, a recent analysis of an object dubbed “The Cliff” has provided compelling evidence. This massive entity, estimated to be billions of times the mass of our sun, dates back to approximately 1.8 billion years post-Big Bang. Data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) revealed a distinct and sharp surge in The Cliff’s light emission within a very specific wavelength range. This characteristic signature is typically associated with dense hydrogen gas at a precise temperature.

These observations strongly suggest that The Cliff could be an example of a “quasi-star,” or black hole star, an object long theorized by astrophysicists but never before definitively identified.

Here are a few paraphrased options, each with a slightly different emphasis, while maintaining a journalistic tone:

**Option 1 (Focus on the “black hole in disguise”):**

> Imagine a celestial object that appears as a colossal red star, but harbors a secret: a supermassive black hole at its core. Scientists theorize such a phenomenon, known as a quasi-star, could represent an early phase in the formation of direct-collapse black holes. In this scenario, after a massive gas cloud collapses to form a black hole, a surrounding shell of gas and dust would absorb the black hole’s intense radiation. This absorption would heat the outer envelope, causing it to emit light predominantly in red wavelengths, creating the illusion of a giant star.

**Option 2 (Focus on the evolutionary process):**

> A fascinating theoretical stage in the birth of direct-collapse black holes is the “quasi-star.” This cosmic entity would emerge after a colossal mass of gas collapses to form a black hole. The surrounding gas and dust, instead of dissipating, would be energized by the newborn black hole’s emissions. This energetic interaction would heat the outer layers of gas to a point where they glow fiercely in red light, presenting an appearance akin to a gigantic red star, yet in reality, it would be a supermassive black hole enveloped in a shell of superheated hydrogen.

**Option 3 (More concise and direct):**

> A quasi-star, a hypothetical precursor to direct-collapse black holes, is envisioned as a massive sphere of hot hydrogen gas surrounding a newly formed black hole. Following the initial collapse of a large gas cloud into a black hole, the remaining gas and dust would be heated by the black hole’s output. This would cause the outer envelope to radiate strongly in red light, mimicking a giant star but concealing a supermassive black hole within its luminous embrace.

**Key changes made in these paraphrases:**

* **Varied Sentence Structure:** Sentences are reordered and combined to create a more dynamic flow.
* **Synonym Usage:** Words like “potential stage” become “theoretical stage” or “hypothetical precursor.” “Crumpled” becomes “collapses.” “Outer sphere” becomes “surrounding shell” or “outer envelope.” “Emissions” becomes “radiation” or “output.” “Glow in red wavelengths” becomes “emit light predominantly in red wavelengths” or “radiate strongly in red light.”
* **Active Voice:** Where appropriate, the active voice is used to make the descriptions more direct.
* **Figurative Language:** Phrases like “black hole in disguise” or “luminous embrace” add engagement without sacrificing the scientific accuracy.
* **Journalistic Tone:** The language is formal, objective, and informative, suitable for reporting on scientific concepts.
* **Clarity:** The explanations are designed to be easily understood by a broad audience interested in astronomy.

Here are a few ways to paraphrase the sentence, each with a slightly different nuance:

**Option 1 (Focus on JWST’s impact):**

> The James Webb Space Telescope’s observations present a compelling case for direct-collapse models in explaining supermassive black hole formation, yet astronomers are still exploring a handful of alternative theories.

**Option 2 (Emphasizing ongoing inquiry):**

> Although direct-collapse models offer a robust framework for understanding many of the phenomena observed by the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists continue to investigate other potential pathways for the genesis of supermassive black holes.

**Option 3 (More concise and direct):**

> While direct-collapse scenarios effectively account for much of what the James Webb Space Telescope is detecting, the formation of supermassive black holes may also arise from other mechanisms currently under consideration.

**Option 4 (Slightly more active voice):**

> The James Webb Space Telescope is revealing data that strongly supports direct-collapse models for supermassive black hole formation, but researchers are not ruling out several other possibilities.

**Key changes made and why:**

* **”JWST is seeing”** was replaced with more descriptive phrases like “JWST’s observations present,” “phenomena observed by the James Webb Space Telescope,” “what the James Webb Space Telescope is detecting,” and “revealing data.” This adds a more formal and professional tone.
* **”explain a lot of what”** was varied to “explain a lot of,” “robust framework for understanding many of the phenomena,” “effectively account for much of,” and “strongly supports.” This avoids repetition and uses more sophisticated vocabulary.
* **”remain a few other possibilities for”** was rephrased as “still exploring a handful of alternative theories,” “investigate other potential pathways for the genesis of,” “may also arise from other mechanisms currently under consideration,” and “researchers are not ruling out several other possibilities.” These offer more dynamic and precise ways to convey the ongoing nature of scientific inquiry.
* **”supermassive black hole formation”** was sometimes broadened to “the genesis of supermassive black holes” or kept consistent for clarity.

Choose the option that best fits the overall tone and flow of your article.

Here are a few paraphrased options, each with a slightly different emphasis, maintaining a journalistic tone:

**Option 1 (Focus on the theory and its implications):**

> The intriguing concept of primordial black holes, first put forth by physicist Stephen Hawking in the 1970s, suggests these cosmic objects may have formed in the universe’s earliest moments. During the nascent stages after the Big Bang, exceptionally dense pockets of matter could have collapsed under their own gravity to create them. Researchers theorize these primordial black holes could span a vast spectrum of masses, potentially serving as the foundational “seeds” from which later, colossal supermassive black holes grew. Indeed, recent research indicates that the merging of such primordial entities could account for the immense black hole observed in galaxy GN-z11, a celestial body dating back to just 400 million years after the Big Bang, which harbors a black hole weighing an estimated 2 million times that of our Sun.

**Option 2 (More direct and concise):**

> Stephen Hawking’s groundbreaking theory from the 1970s posited the existence of primordial black holes, objects that may have originated in the universe’s very first instants. These hypothetical entities could have formed when extremely dense regions of the early cosmos collapsed under their own gravity. Their potential mass range is significant, with some theorized to be large enough to act as the progenitors of today’s supermassive black holes. One study exploring this idea suggests that mergers of these early black holes could be responsible for the massive black hole, estimated at 2 million solar masses, found within GN-z11, a galaxy observed from a mere 400 million years after the Big Bang.

**Option 3 (Emphasizing the observational connection):**

> A fascinating scientific hypothesis, originating with Stephen Hawking in the 1970s, proposes the existence of primordial black holes – objects that might have formed during the universe’s infancy due to the gravitational collapse of incredibly dense regions shortly after the Big Bang. These theoretical black holes could have varied greatly in size, with some potentially being substantial enough to initiate the formation of later supermassive black holes. Evidence for this theory is emerging, with one study demonstrating that the observed characteristics of GN-z11, a galaxy from when the universe was only 400 million years old, and its black hole weighing an estimated 2 million suns, could be explained by the merger of primordial black holes.

Here are a few paraphrased options, maintaining a journalistic tone and unique phrasing:

**Option 1 (Focus on timing and formation):**

> Emerging theories propose the existence of “not-quite-primordial black holes,” objects thought to have formed in the initial stages of the universe, within the first few million years following the Big Bang. These formations would have predated the emergence of stars, originating instead from the gravitational collapse of vast clouds composed of hydrogen and helium.

**Option 2 (More active and descriptive):**

> An alternative hypothesis suggests that “not-quite-primordial black holes” may have originated in the universe’s infancy, several million years after the Big Bang. These celestial bodies, which predate star formation, are believed to have been forged when immense accumulations of hydrogen and helium succumbed to their own immense gravity.

**Option 3 (Concise and direct):**

> Further speculation points to the formation of “not-quite-primordial black holes” during the universe’s nascent period, within the first few million years after the Big Bang. These would have formed prior to any stars, through the gravitational implosion of substantial hydrogen and helium clouds.

**Key changes made:**

* **”Posited the existence of”** replaced with more active verbs like “propose,” “suggests,” “points to,” or “are thought to have formed.”
* **”Come about within”** rephrased as “formed in,” “originated in,” or “formed during.”
* **”Later than primordial black holes but still long before any stars”** integrated more smoothly into the sentence structure, emphasizing their intermediate timing.
* **”When large clouds of hydrogen and helium collapsed under their own weight”** rephrased with terms like “gravitational collapse,” “succumbed to their own immense gravity,” or “gravitational implosion.”
* **Sentence structure varied** to avoid direct repetition.
* **Journalistic tone maintained** through clear, objective language.

Here are a few paraphrased options, maintaining a journalistic tone and core meaning:

**Option 1 (Focus on the challenge):**

> Creating primordial black holes demands incredibly dense pockets of matter in the universe’s nascent stages, according to theoretical physicist Wenzer Qin of New York University. She explained to Live Science that such formations typically necessitate a delicate balancing act of parameters within cosmological models. However, Qin noted that by slightly easing these stringent requirements, denser regions can emerge later in cosmic evolution. These later-developing dense areas, known as direct-collapse black holes, can then coalesce to form the supermassive black holes observed today.

**Option 2 (Focus on the alternative pathway):**

> The formation of primordial black holes hinges on extremely dense conditions present in the very early universe, a concept theoretical physicist Wenzer Qin of New York University elaborated on for Live Science. She highlighted that achieving this often involves precise fine-tuning of cosmological model parameters. Qin suggested that a less restrictive approach, allowing for slightly looser constraints, can lead to the emergence of dense regions at a somewhat later point in cosmic history. These are termed direct-collapse black holes and have the potential to merge and grow into supermassive black holes.

**Option 3 (More concise):**

> “You need these really extremely dense regions in the very early universe” to form primordial black holes, stated Wenzer Qin, a theoretical physicist at New York University. Speaking with Live Science, she added that this typically requires significant fine-tuning of cosmological models. Qin explained that by relaxing these tight constraints, denser regions can form at later times, leading to direct-collapse black holes that can subsequently merge into supermassive black holes.

Here are a few paraphrased options, each with a slightly different emphasis, while maintaining a journalistic tone:

**Option 1 (Focus on JWST’s Revelation):**

> The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is offering a startling glimpse into the early universe, revealing that many nascent black holes and young galaxies are remarkably depleted of elements heavier than hydrogen and helium. This observation supports a prevailing theory that these heavier elements are forged within massive stars and dispersed through supernova explosions. The scarcity of these elements in the earliest cosmic structures could indicate they formed from black holes that predated star formation, possibly originating from the universe’s very first moments.

**Option 2 (Focus on Stellar Nucleosynthesis and Early Universe Formation):**

> Scientists believe that the cosmic tapestry of elements heavier than hydrogen and helium was woven within the fiery cores of massive stars, subsequently scattered across the cosmos by cataclysmic supernova events. Evidence from the JWST’s observations of early black holes and young galaxies, which show a distinct lack of these heavier elements, is prompting new theories. This dearth suggests that at least some of these ancient cosmic entities may have originated from primordial or near-primordial black holes, entities that would have existed long before any stars had a chance to form.

**Option 3 (More Concise and Direct):**

> The prevailing astronomical model posits that elements beyond hydrogen and helium are primarily synthesized in the hearts of giant stars and dispersed via supernova explosions. However, the James Webb Space Telescope’s discovery of early black holes and young galaxies with a low abundance of these heavy elements challenges this simple picture. This finding hints that some of these primordial structures may have coalesced from black holes that existed before star formation, potentially originating from the universe’s initial moments.

**Key changes made in these paraphrases:**

* **Word Choice:** Replaced words like “think,” “created,” “strewn about,” and “suggest” with more active and descriptive verbs like “believe,” “forged,” “dispersed,” “revealing,” “indicating,” and “hinting.”
* **Sentence Structure:** Varied sentence beginnings and lengths to improve flow and engagement. Combined or split sentences for clarity.
* **Emphasis:** Adjusted the focus of each option to highlight different aspects of the original text.
* **Tone:** Maintained a professional, objective, and informative journalistic tone throughout.
* **Originality:** Ensured that the phrasing is distinct from the original text while preserving the core scientific concepts.

Scientists are actively discussing the leading theories behind the creation of supermassive black holes, with a consensus leaning towards a combined explanation of the different models.

According to Dr. Qin, the ultimate formation of the universe’s supermassive black holes will likely result from a confluence of various contributing factors.

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is poised to lead a formidable cosmic alliance, integrating its capabilities with other pioneering observatories to probe the universe’s earliest epochs. Already operational, the European Space Agency’s Euclid mission, launched in 2023, will soon be joined by NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, slated for a 2027 deployment.

Together, this powerful trio aims to dramatically expand humanity’s catalog and understanding of nascent supermassive black holes. This concerted effort is crucial for researchers, providing the comprehensive data needed to distinguish between competing theories of how these cosmic giants first formed and ultimately ascertain which, if any, genesis mechanism was most prevalent in the young universe.

A clearer picture is emerging within the astronomical community regarding the origins of supermassive black holes at the heart of galaxies. The prevailing view now suggests these galactic behemoths are unlikely to have formed directly from the merger or growth of smaller, stellar-mass black holes.

Here are a few options, maintaining the core meaning with a unique, engaging, and journalistic tone:

**Option 1 (Direct & Impactful):**
> The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), leveraging its extraordinary capabilities, is fundamentally reshaping our understanding of the early cosmos and offering groundbreaking insights into the mysterious formation of supermassive black holes.

**Option 2 (Emphasizing Discovery):**
> With its unprecedented observational power, the JWST has delivered startling revelations that are overturning long-held theories about the universe’s infancy and actively rewriting the narrative of how gigantic black holes first emerged.

**Option 3 (Focus on Revolution):**
> Harnessing its unmatched prowess, the JWST is revolutionizing our perception of early cosmic history. Its discoveries are proving instrumental in charting a new course for understanding the development of colossal black holes.

According to Natarajan, the cosmos is brimming with supermassive black holes that coalesce surprisingly early in its evolution—a discovery she described as immensely thrilling.