Science
Team uncovers secret of fungi that eats charcoal
Team uncovers secret of fungi that eats charcoal New research reveals the genetic secrets behind fungi’s ability to thrive in charred environments, including their unique methods of digesting charcoal. Fungi have evolved three main ways to break down charcoal: gene duplication, sexual reproduction, and horizontal gene transfer from bacteria, allowing them to survive and even […]
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Space Station Research Contributes to Artemis II
Space Station Research Contributes to Artemis II NASA’s International Space Station (ISS) plays a crucial role in advancing human space exploration by conducting research and testing technologies ahead of time. The ISS has contributed to the development of life support and safety systems for the Orion spacecraft, which will carry four astronauts around the Moon […]
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Shrews shrink their brains and bodies to get through winter
Shrews shrink their brains and bodies to get through winter Two new studies have shed light on how shrews adapt to winter by shrinking their brains and bodies through a process called Dehnel’s phenomenon. The research, conducted by Stony Brook University researchers, reveals genetic and biological changes that occur in shrews during this process, including […]
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RNA is key to the dark matter of the genome − scientists are sequencing it to illuminate human health and disease
RNA is key to the dark matter of the genome − scientists are sequencing it to illuminate human health and disease RNA plays a crucial role in regulating the genome and generating cell diversity, making it a key player in human health and disease. The majority of DNA (about 98%) does not code for proteins, […]
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No animal alive today is ‘primitive’ – why are so many still labeled that way?
No animal alive today is ‘primitive’ – why are so many still labeled that way? Many animals are still labeled as “primitive” or “ancient,” but modern evolutionary biology shows that all species alive today are equally evolved and have long lineages, rather than being ancestors or descendants. The concept of a hierarchical view of evolution, […]
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NASA’s Hubble Captures Light Show Around Rapidly Dying Star
NASA’s Hubble Captures Light Show Around Rapidly Dying Star NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has captured the clearest view yet of the Egg Nebula, a pre-planetary nebula located approximately 1,000 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus. The Egg Nebula features a central star obscured by a dense cloud of dust, with twin beams from the dying […]
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Lüften sounds simple – but ‘house-burping’ is more complicated in Pittsburgh
Lüften sounds simple – but ‘house-burping’ is more complicated in Pittsburgh “Lüften” is a German practice of opening windows and doors to rapidly fill a house with outdoor air, typically at least twice daily, to improve indoor air quality and control humidity. The practice is not unique to Germany, but it’s uncommon in the US, […]
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Listen: There’s 1 easy thing you can do to improve your memory
Listen: There’s 1 easy thing you can do to improve your memory Dr. Edward Awh, a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Chicago, shares insights on improving memory and focus. The human brain has limited capacity for conscious awareness, making it hard to focus and remember information in an information-saturated world. Dr. Awh’s research explores […]
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Infusing asphalt with plastic could help roads last longer and resist cracking under heat
Infusing asphalt with plastic could help roads last longer and resist cracking under heat Infusing asphalt with plastic can help roads last longer and resist cracking under heat, making them more durable and reducing the need for frequent repairs. The technology involves mixing small amounts of recycled plastic with asphalt to create a stronger road […]
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How do scientists hunt for dark matter? A physicist explains why the mysterious substance is so hard to find
How do scientists hunt for dark matter? A physicist explains why the mysterious substance is so hard to find Scientists are unable to directly observe dark matter due to its “dark” nature, meaning it doesn’t interact with light in any way. The existence of dark matter was first proposed by Fritz Zwicky in the Coma […]
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Hair shows banning lead in gas worked
Hair shows banning lead in gas worked A new study by University of Utah scientists found that banning lead in gas has been effective in reducing lead levels in human tissues, as measured through hair samples. The study analyzed hair samples from 48 individuals spanning over 100 years and found that lead levels decreased precipitously […]
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Grants
Grants NASA has established the National Space Grant College and Fellowship (NSSC) to streamline and simplify grants and cooperative agreements, aiming for efficient and effective service, improved data quality, standardized processes, and economies of scale. To submit a grant status request, visit the NASA General Information Request Form, complete the form, and provide either a […]
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From ski jumps and sliding bobsleds to engineering snow, here are 5 essential reads on the science of the Winter Olympics
From ski jumps and sliding bobsleds to engineering snow, here are 5 essential reads on the science of the Winter Olympics The 2026 Winter Olympics will feature unique laws of physics at play, such as gravity, lift, and drag, which govern sports like ski jumping and sliding bobsleds. Mathematics also plays a role in the […]
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Curiosity Blog, Sols 4798-4803: Back for More Science
Curiosity Blog, Sols 4798-4803: Back for More Science The NASA Mars rover Curiosity has returned to the “Nevado Sajama” drill location on Mars, where it conducted a series of scientific experiments using its Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite. During this visit, Curiosity used a chemical reagent called tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) to analyze the […]
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CubeSats’ Missions Begin
CubeSats’ Missions Begin CubeSats are small nanosatellites weighing 1-10 kilograms that use a standard size and form factor, designed for Earth observations and technology demonstrations. The development of CubeSats has advanced into its own industry, with collaboration between government, industry, and academia leading to increasing capabilities. CubeSats provide a cost-effective platform for science investigations, new […]
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Core Survey by NASA’s Roman Mission Will Unveil Universe’s Dark Side
Core Survey by NASA’s Roman Mission Will Unveil Universe’s Dark Side NASA’s Roman Space Telescope will conduct the largest planned survey by volume, unveiling hundreds of millions of galaxies across the cosmos and studying dark matter and dark energy. The High-Latitude Wide-Area Survey, one of Roman’s three core observation programs, will cover over 5,000 square […]
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Red, Green Light Show
Red, Green Light Show Auroras, also known as the northern or southern lights, are colorful displays caused by particles from space colliding with Earth’s atmosphere. The International Space Station was orbiting above the Mediterranean Sea when this photo was taken on Jan. 19, 2026, capturing a stunning green and red aurora over Europe. Auroras occur […]
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NASA’s Chandra Releases Deep Cut From Catalog of Cosmic Recordings
NASA’s Chandra Releases Deep Cut From Catalog of Cosmic Recordings NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory has released an updated version of its cosmic recording catalog, known as the Chandra Source Catalog (CSC) 2.1, which contains over 400,000 unique sources and 1.3 million individual detections. The CSC is a treasure trove of information gathered from Chandra’s observations, […]
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NASA Finds Lunar Regolith Limits Meteorites as Source of Earth’s Water
NASA Finds Lunar Regolith Limits Meteorites as Source of Earth’s Water NASA has found that lunar regolith limits meteorites as a source of Earth’s water, suggesting that late delivery of water-rich meteorites was not the dominant source of Earth’s oceans. The study used a novel method to analyze the dusty debris on the Moon’s surface […]
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Long-term pesticide exposure speeds up aging in fish
Long-term pesticide exposure speeds up aging in fish Long-term exposure to low levels of chlorpyrifos, a common agricultural pesticide, can accelerate physiological aging and shorten lifespan in fish. The study, led by University of Notre Dame biologist Jason Rohr, found that chronic exposure to chlorpyrifos caused fish to age faster at the cellular level, as […]
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Journey to Center of Milky Way With Upcoming NASA Roman Core Survey
Journey to Center of Milky Way With Upcoming NASA Roman Core Survey NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will conduct three revolutionary surveys of unprecedented scale, transforming all areas of astronomy and answering longstanding questions about dark matter, dark energy, and exoplanets. The Galactic Bulge Time-Domain Survey will peer into the center of our galaxy […]
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I Am Artemis: Dustin Gohmert
I Am Artemis: Dustin Gohmert Dustin Gohmert, Orion Crew Survival System (OCSS) manager at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, leads a team responsible for designing and testing pressure suits that will protect astronauts during the Artemis II mission around the Moon. The OCSS suits are engineered to sustain life for up to six days in emergency […]
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Is being virtuous good for you – or just people around you? A study suggests traits like compassion may support your own well-being
Is being virtuous good for you – or just people around you? A study suggests traits like compassion may support your own well-being A new study published in the Journal of Personality suggests that virtues like compassion, patience, and self-control may be beneficial not only for others but also for oneself. The research found that […]
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How brains create facial expressions
How brains create facial expressions Researchers at Rockefeller University have identified a network of neural circuits in the brain and muscles in the face that work together to create facial expressions. The study, led by Winrich Freiwald, found that both lower-level and higher-level brain regions are involved in encoding different types of facial gestures, contrary […]
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Higher temps may put monarch butterflies at risk
Higher temps may put monarch butterflies at risk Higher temperatures may increase the vulnerability of monarch butterflies to parasites, such as Ophryocystis elektroscirrha, which can cause smaller wingspans, lower weight, and shorter lifespans. The study found that monarchs exposed to elevated temperatures were 22% less tolerant of infection, meaning they were more susceptible to parasite […]
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AMS 2026 Hyperwall Schedule
AMS 2026 Hyperwall Schedule The AMS 2026 Hyperwall Schedule features a variety of presentations on space weather, Earth science missions, and NASA’s research data utilization. The schedule includes sessions such as “Revolutionizing Exploration of the Sun”, “Space Weather for Astronauts”, and “See Global Precipitation Without Writing Code” presented by experts like Kelly Korreck, Jamie Favors, […]
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AI cannot automate science – a philosopher explains the uniquely human aspects of doing research
AI cannot automate science – a philosopher explains the uniquely human aspects of doing research A philosopher argues that AI cannot fully automate science due to its limitations in understanding human values, creativity, and social aspects of scientific inquiry. AI models can only learn from existing human-generated knowledge and lack a strong empirical link to […]
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Are there thunderstorms on Mars? A planetary scientist explains the red planet’s dry, dusty storms
Are there thunderstorms on Mars? A planetary scientist explains the red planet’s dry, dusty storms Mars does have thunderstorms, but they are much drier and dustier than those on Earth. The Martian atmosphere is too thin to support liquid water clouds, so instead it has clouds of dust that can grow into huge, windy storms. […]
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An ultrathin coating for electronics looked like a miracle insulator − but a hidden leak fooled researchers for over a decade
An ultrathin coating for electronics looked like a miracle insulator − but a hidden leak fooled researchers for over a decade Researchers have been working on creating ultra-thin insulating layers for electronics, which are crucial for storing charge and controlling electricity flow. The goal was to make these dielectric layers as thin as possible while […]
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Viruses aren’t all bad: In the ocean, some help fuel the food web – a new study shows how
Viruses aren’t all bad: In the ocean, some help fuel the food web – a new study shows how Marine viruses play a crucial role in sustaining marine life by infecting microorganisms that form the base of the ocean food web, releasing nutrients and carbon into the water. A new study found that the rate […]
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