Science
NASA TESS mission identifies first exoplanet using gravitational microlensing
NASA's TESS satellite has successfully utilized gravitational microlensing to discover a super-Jupiter 40,000 light-years away, marking an evolution in its capabilities.
China to build space-ground monitoring network for asteroid defense
The China National Space Administration is building a comprehensive network of optical telescopes and space-based sensors to detect hazardous asteroids. This system aims to eliminate surveillance blind spots and protect Earth from potential space-borne threats.
Antarctica fossil found in museum drawer confirmed as first dinosaur bone
A long-overlooked fossil collected in 1985 has been identified as a titanosaur vertebra, marking the first confirmed dinosaur find on the continent.
Researchers propose new strategies to clear 13,000 tonnes of space junk
To combat the crisis of 13,486 tonnes of orbital debris, scientists are advocating for a shift toward modular satellites and active recycling missions. This strategy aims to prevent runaway collision events and mitigate the environmental impact of decommissioned spacecraft.
Rice grown on the Moon?
Global space agencies are developing plasma-based fertilizers and genetically modified rice to overcome the challenges of farming in lunar regolith.
NASA selects Astrobotic Intuitive Machines Firefly
NASA has selected three aerospace companies to develop lunar landers for a series of missions aimed at establishing a sustained human presence on the moon.
Earth microbes adapting to Mars conditions may evade human immune systems
New research shows that human-associated bacteria can adapt to extreme Martian environments, posing significant health risks to astronauts and complicating planetary protection efforts.
Virginia Tech researchers develop RNAbpFlow to map RNA structures
Virginia Tech researchers have developed RNAbpFlow, a tool that uses flow matching to map 3D RNA structures to aid in identifying potential drug targets. The system is particularly effective for analyzing RNAs that lack known relatives, offering an alternative to models dependent on evolutionary data.
Antarctica dinosaur fossil rediscovered after decades in storage drawer
Paleontologists have identified a fossil discovered in 1985 as a tail vertebra from a titanosaur, marking the first dinosaur bone recovered from Antarctica. The specimen had been stored in a collection for nearly four decades before its true significance was realized.
Northern Lights could be visible across 19 US states Monday night
A coronal mass ejection is expected to trigger G1 to G2 geomagnetic activity, potentially bringing the aurora borealis to view in 19 US states.
Solar storms could be forecast by monitoring cosmic rays
A new method using radiation monitors on spacecraft like BepiColombo can track CME movement by measuring changes in cosmic ray intensity. This approach helps researchers map solar outbursts to better understand and predict their impact on Earth's infrastructure.
New Horizons data confirms solar wind slows in the outer heliosphere
New Horizons data reveals a measurable deceleration of the solar wind as it interacts with interstellar gas. This research helps clarify the heliosphere's protective boundary and its role in shielding the solar system.
Antarctic titanosaur fossil identified after decades in storage
Stored in a museum for decades, an Antarctic fossil has been identified as a titanosaur vertebra. The discovery offers insight into the ecosystem of the continent during the Late Cretaceous.
Great apes and humans share rhythmic laughter patterns dating back 15 million
A study identifying shared rhythmic structures in the laughter of humans and great apes suggests our vocal control evolved gradually over millions of years.
Arctic microbes frequently swap genes to adapt to thawing permafrost soils
New research indicates that Arctic soil microbes respond to thawing through staggered activation sequences and extensive genetic exchange. These biological dynamics significantly influence the decomposition of organic matter and greenhouse gas emissions.
Hubble telescope captures images of two merging galaxy clusters
New Hubble imagery confirms that the galaxy cluster CL0016+1609 is a site of active cosmic interaction, allowing researchers to map dark matter distribution.
Great ape laughter reveals 15-million-year-old roots of human speech
University of Warwick researchers found that rhythmic patterns in great ape laughter provide a vocal fossil for the evolution of human vocal control.
Antarctica's first dinosaur fossil identified as Titanosaur tail bone
A tail vertebra unearthed on James Ross Island in 1985 has been confirmed as the first dinosaur fossil ever collected in Antarctica. The specimen remained misidentified in storage for decades before recent analysis revealed its true origin.
Pine Island Glacier retreat accelerated by human activity study finds
A study from Northumbria and Bangor University identifies human activity as a key driver behind the retreat of the Pine Island Glacier. Scientists warn this ice loss is part of an irreversible process that contributes to global sea-level rise.
Asteroids shaped early Earth's surface
A study in Science suggests asteroid collisions kept the Hadean crust molten and unstable for millions of years, fundamentally shaping Earth's evolution. Parallel research indicates these impacts also created subterranean environments that potentially fostered the origins of life.