Science
Listen: Bones reveal surprising differences among Vikings
Listen: Bones reveal surprising differences among Vikings Bones from Viking skeletons reveal that nearly 40% of remains showed evidence of violent deaths, including skulls crushed by blunt force and arrowheads embedded in bones. A study found that Viking societies were not as monolithic as previously believed, with different regions showing distinct patterns of violence and […]
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How baker’s yeast sheds light on human migration
How baker’s yeast sheds light on human migration Baker’s yeast has been found to have genetic links to human migration, suggesting that humans domesticated it around 7000 BCE. Researchers analyzed DNA from wild and domesticated yeast in different regions of Europe and America, finding distinct subpopulations within continents. The study suggests that the forest populations […]
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Soft robot can ride wires like a cable car to deliver cargo
Soft robot can ride wires like a cable car to deliver cargo Researchers have created a light-powered soft robot that can carry loads through the air along established tracks, similar to cable cars or aerial trams. The soft robot operates autonomously and can climb slopes at angles of up to 80 degrees, carrying loads up […]
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NASA Kicks Off Biological Research Aboard Space Station
NASA Kicks Off Biological Research Aboard Space Station NASA has launched several biological experiments aboard the International Space Station as part of its 32nd SpaceX commercial resupply services mission. The experiments include studying how microgravity affects protein production by microalgae, testing a microscope to capture microbial activity, and examining genetic activity in biofilms. Microalgae are […]
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What is a downburst? These winds can be as destructive as tornadoes − we recreate them to test building designs
What is a downburst? These winds can be as destructive as tornadoes − we recreate them to test building designs A downburst is a powerful wind storm that can be as destructive as tornadoes, with winds reaching over 150 miles per hour and causing widespread damage to buildings, power lines, and trees. Downbursts form when […]
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Bees, fish and plants show how climate change’s accelerating pace is disrupting nature in 2 key ways
Bees, fish and plants show how climate change’s accelerating pace is disrupting nature in 2 key ways Climate change is not just about temperature; its accelerating pace is disrupting nature in two key ways: changing habitat ranges for plants and animals, and throwing off the delicate timing of pollination. The rate of climate change is […]
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Sols 4522-4524: Up on the Roof
Sols 4522-4524: Up on the Roof Curiosity rover will spend Sol 4522 studying layered rocks at “Hale Telescope” using its Left Navigation Camera, Mastcam, and ChemCam instruments. On Sol 4523, Curiosity will perform a series of mosaics and observations on targets such as “Mesa Peak”, “Puerto Suelo”, and “Potrero Seco”, including companion observations with ChemCam […]
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Young bats learn to be discriminating when listening for their next meal
Young bats learn to be discriminating when listening for their next meal Researchers at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute studied how young bats learn to discriminate between tasty and dangerous meals by eavesdropping on frog calls. The study found that juvenile bats respond more strongly to the calls of toxic toads compared to palatable túngara […]
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How to Contribute to Citizen Science with NASA
How to Contribute to Citizen Science with NASA NASA’s citizen science program allows anyone to contribute to scientific research without prior studies or experience. The program has led to over 500 co-authored scientific publications and has changed how scientists like Dr. Kuchner approach their work, making it “even cooler”. Citizen scientists have made discoveries such […]
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Robots, Rovers, and Regolith: NASA Brings Exploration to FIRST Robotics 2025
Robots, Rovers, and Regolith: NASA Brings Exploration to FIRST Robotics 2025 NASA engaged with over 55,000 students and 75,000 parents and mentors at the 2025 FIRST Robotics World Championship in Houston, showcasing its robotic technologies and STEM career paths. The event featured multiple NASA centers, including Johnson Space Center, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Kennedy Space […]
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NASA’s Lunar Drill Technology Passes Tests on the Moon
NASA’s Lunar Drill Technology Passes Tests on the Moon NASA’s Lunar Drill Technology Passes Tests on the Moon The PRIME-1 mission, launched by Intuitive Machines’ IM-2 lunar lander, demonstrated technologies to help scientists better understand lunar resources ahead of crewed Artemis missions. The mission successfully deployed a drill and mass spectrometer suite, which performed perfectly […]
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NASA’s Juno Mission Gets Under Jupiter’s and Io’s Surface
NASA’s Juno Mission Gets Under Jupiter’s and Io’s Surface Juno’s recent findings reveal that Jupiter’s north polar stratospheric cap is about 11 degrees Celsius cooler than its surroundings, and is encircled by winds exceeding 100 mph (161 kph). The spacecraft has also tracked the movement of Jupiter’s massive northern polar cyclone and the eight cyclones […]
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NASA Gathers Experts to Discuss Emerging Technologies in Astrophysics
NASA Gathers Experts to Discuss Emerging Technologies in Astrophysics NASA recently hosted an “Emerging Technologies for Astrophysics” workshop to discuss how advanced technologies like AI, quantum sensing, and advanced materials can impact future mission planning. The workshop brought together experts from industry, government, and academia to explore specific applications for astrophysics missions and accelerate the […]
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Help Classify Galaxies Seen by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope!
Help Classify Galaxies Seen by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope! NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has captured over 500,000 images of galaxies that need to be classified by volunteers through the Galaxy Zoo project. The classification process involves examining an image from the Webb telescope and answering simple questions about the shape of the galaxy, […]
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Where Does Gold Come From? NASA Data Has Clues
Where Does Gold Come From? NASA Data Has Clues NASA data has provided clues to the origin of gold in the universe, suggesting that flares from highly magnetized neutron stars (magnetars) could be responsible for creating and distributing heavy elements like gold. The study, led by Anirudh Patel, estimates that magnetar giant flares could contribute […]
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In the Starlight: Jason Phillips’ Unexpected Path to Johnson Procurement
In the Starlight: Jason Phillips’ Unexpected Path to Johnson Procurement Jason Phillips joined the US Air Force in 1994 and planned to serve for at least 20 years, but a medical separation led him to transition into a new career path. Phillips was able to leverage his experience as an Air Force contracting officer to […]
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NASA Moon Observing Instrument to Get Another Shot at Lunar Ops
NASA Moon Observing Instrument to Get Another Shot at Lunar Ops NASA’s Mass Spectrometer Observing Lunar Operations (MSOLO) instrument will launch to the Moon on a commercial rover no earlier than 2026, following its successful demonstration in lunar conditions during the Intuitive Machines 2 mission. MSOLO will measure low molecular weight volatiles on the lunar […]
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How Are We Made of Star Stuff? We Asked a NASA Expert: Episode 58
How Are We Made of Star Stuff? We Asked a NASA Expert: Episode 58 According to NASA expert, we are literally made of star stuff, as the elements that make up our bodies were formed in previous stars. The universe existed for billions of years before humans and our solar system, and all the elements […]
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NASA 3D Wind Measuring Laser Aims to Improve Forecasts from Air, Space
NASA 3D Wind Measuring Laser Aims to Improve Forecasts from Air, Space NASA’s Aerosol Wind Profiler (AWP) instrument aims to improve weather forecasts by collecting precise measurements of wind direction, speed, and aerosol concentration. The AWP uses a coherent Doppler wind lidar technology to gather data on atmospheric conditions, which can significantly improve weather forecasts, […]
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Algorithm could help solve hearing aids’ ‘cocktail party problem’
Algorithm could help solve hearing aids’ ‘cocktail party problem’ Boston University researchers have developed a new brain-inspired algorithm that could help hearing aids tune out interference and isolate single talkers in a crowd, addressing the “cocktail party problem” faced by people with hearing loss. The algorithm, called BOSSA (biologically oriented sound segregation algorithm), was tested […]
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Seeing the Cygnus Loop in a New Way
Seeing the Cygnus Loop in a New Way NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory has created a 3D model of the Cygnus Loop, a supernova remnant that provides insights into the explosive death of a massive star. The 3D model allows people to explore and print examples of stars in the early and end stages of their […]
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How does soap keep you clean? A chemist explains the science of soap
How does soap keep you clean? A chemist explains the science of soap Soap has been used for over 5,000 years to clean bodies and clothes, dating back to ancient Babylon. The science behind soap lies in its unique molecular structure, which is both water-loving (hydrophilic) and water-fearing (hydrophobic), allowing it to effectively remove dirt, […]
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Granular systems, such as sandpiles or rockslides, are all around you − new research will help scientists describe how they work
Granular systems, such as sandpiles or rockslides, are all around you − new research will help scientists describe how they work Scientists have long struggled to understand how granular systems, such as sandpiles or rockslides, behave when individual grains interact with each other. A new research approach uses photoelasticity, a property that makes transparent materials […]
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‘Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence’ − an astronomer explains how much evidence scientists need to claim discoveries like extraterrestrial life
‘Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence’ − an astronomer explains how much evidence scientists need to claim discoveries like extraterrestrial life Scientists searching for extraterrestrial life need extraordinary evidence to support their claims, as suggested by Carl Sagan’s phrase “Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.” The detection of life on K2-18b, a planet in another star system, […]
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‘Oz’ system tricks the eye into seeing entirely new color
‘Oz’ system tricks the eye into seeing entirely new color Scientists have developed a new technique called “Oz” that tricks the human eye into seeing a brand-new color, named “olo,” which is a blue-green color of unparalleled saturation. The Oz system uses tiny doses of laser light to individually control up to 1,000 photoreceptors in […]
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Why predicting battery performance is like forecasting traffic − and how researchers are making progress
Why predicting battery performance is like forecasting traffic − and how researchers are making progress Battery performance prediction is challenging due to various factors such as temperature, physical structure, and material aging, making it comparable to forecasting traffic. Researchers are working on improving battery lifespan, calculating degradation, safety under extreme conditions, and exploring new materials […]
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Sols 4520-4521: Prinzregententorte
Sols 4520-4521: Prinzregententorte NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity has acquired an image of its target area, “Hale Telescope,” using its Front Hazard Avoidance Camera on Sol 4518 (April 22, 2025), featuring prominent laminations that reminded the science team of a layered-cake like Prinzregententorte. Curiosity successfully completed its plan tosol, which included APXS and MAHLI activities at […]
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Searching for the Dark in the Light
Searching for the Dark in the Light The Perseverance rover has been exploring lower “Witch Hazel Hill” on Mars, focusing on understanding the relationships between light and dark layers. The team has discovered that dark layers tend to be composed of larger clasts compared to light layers, and they’re searching for a place to sample […]
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Saturn’s moon could have life, but only a little bit
Saturn’s moon could have life, but only a little bit Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, may harbor life, but only in tiny amounts. A new study suggests that the moon’s subsurface ocean could support simple, microscopic life forms. The researchers used bioenergetic modeling to develop a realistic scenario of what life on Titan might look like, […]
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Navigation Technology
Navigation Technology NASA scientists are working to improve navigation tools for crewed spacecraft and robots in space, enabling humans to explore farther into space safely. A current investigation called NAVCOM uses the ISS Ham Radio program hardware to test software for a system that could shape future lunar navigation, processing signals similar to GPS but […]
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