Science
Lower-cost space missions like NASA’s ESCAPADE are starting to deliver exciting science – but at a price in risk and trade‑offs
Lower-cost space missions like NASA’s ESCAPADE are starting to deliver exciting science – but at a price in risk and trade‑offs NASA’s ESCAPADE mission has finally launched after years of setbacks, sending twin probes to map Mars’ magnetic field and study the solar wind. ESCAPADE is a low-cost, high-risk mission that falls under NASA’s Small […]
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How brain activity changes during the day
How brain activity changes during the day Researchers have developed new methods to study brain activity throughout the day using mouse models, revealing changes in brain regions and networks that occur as mice wake up and sleep. The study found that brain activity starts in inner layers of the brain when mice wake up, but […]
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Can scientists detect life without knowing what it looks like? Research using machine learning offers a new way
Can scientists detect life without knowing what it looks like? Research using machine learning offers a new way Scientists have found that carbon-rich meteorites like Bennu contain many of life’s building blocks, including amino acids and organic molecules, but no evidence of life itself. A new study called LifeTracer uses machine learning to analyze the […]
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A Rare Gourd
A Rare Gourd NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope captured an image of the Calabash Nebula, showing the death of a low-mass star. The star is undergoing a rapid transformation from a red giant to a planetary nebula, expelling its outer layers into space. The ejected material is moving at incredible speeds, with gas shown in yellow […]
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AI’s errors may be impossible to eliminate – what that means for its use in health care
AI’s errors may be impossible to eliminate – what that means for its use in health care AI’s errors may be impossible to eliminate, which raises concerns about its use in healthcare, particularly in tasks that require high accuracy and precision. A proposed bill in the US House of Representatives would allow AI systems to […]
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New method could transform battery recycling
New method could transform battery recycling New research has developed a two-step flash Joule heating-chlorination and oxidation (FJH-ClO) process that rapidly separates lithium and transition metals from spent lithium-ion batteries. The FJH-ClO process provides an acid-free, energy-saving alternative to conventional recycling techniques, reducing energy consumption, chemical usage, and costs. The method achieves high yields and […]
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Newly Found Organics in Enceladus’ Plumes
Newly Found Organics in Enceladus’ Plumes NASA’s Cassini mission has discovered new organic compounds in plumes of ice particles emanating from Enceladus’ ocean. The study, published in October 2025, analyzed data from the Cassini mission and found evidence of previously undetected organic molecules. Researchers also identified new organic compounds that could potentially lead to chemical […]
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Insights could improve chemical manufacturing for everyday products
Insights could improve chemical manufacturing for everyday products Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed algorithms that reveal the atomic features driving the complex chemistry behind propane-to-propylene conversion. The study, published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, used a tandem nanoscale catalyst to integrate multiple steps of the process into a single […]
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Discovery sheds new light on early Maya rituals
Discovery sheds new light on early Maya rituals A team of researchers has discovered large ritual constructions by early Mesoamericans at the site of Aguada Fénix in southeastern Mexico, which dates back to around 1,000 BCE. The monument, measuring nearly a mile long and a quarter-mile wide, was found to be a cosmogram—a model to […]
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When darkness shines: How dark stars could illuminate the early universe
When darkness shines: How dark stars could illuminate the early universe Scientists using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have discovered three potential dark star candidates, which could alter our understanding of how ordinary stars form. Dark stars are not exactly stars and are thought to be powered by a mysterious substance called dark matter, which […]
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Thousands of genomes reveal the wild wolf genes in most dogs’ DNA
Thousands of genomes reveal the wild wolf genes in most dogs’ DNA Dogs were domesticated from gray wolves between 20,000 to 22,000 years ago, and their genomes still contain wild wolf genes. A study analyzing 2,693 dog and wolf genomes found that most dogs have detectable wolf DNA, even in small amounts, with some breeds […]
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These hummingbirds’ bills evolved for fighting
These hummingbirds’ bills evolved for fighting Male green hermit hummingbirds have evolved straighter, sharper, and structurally stronger bills for fighting, which has shaped their species’ evolution. Their bills are designed to be effective weapons, allowing them to defend their perches and compete for mates in a “singles bar” setting where they gather to find partners. […]
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Sea level doesn’t rise at the same rate everywhere – we mapped where Antarctica’s ice melt would have the biggest impact
Sea level doesn’t rise at the same rate everywhere – we mapped where Antarctica’s ice melt would have the biggest impact Antarctica’s ice melt has a significant impact on global climate and sea level, but its effects vary by region due to gravity and other factors. The extent of Antarctic ice sheet melting depends on […]
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Red Spider Nebula
Red Spider Nebula The James Webb Space Telescope has captured new details of the Red Spider Nebula, a planetary nebula. The image reveals the full extent of the nebula’s outstretched lobes, which form the ‘legs’ of the spider and are traced by light emitted from H2 molecules. The lobes are shown to be closed, bubble-like […]
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PLANETS Units Have Landed – Free NASA-Funded Out-of-School Time Resources
PLANETS Units Have Landed – Free NASA-Funded Out-of-School Time Resources NASA has launched three free out-of-school time units, PLANETS, which provide hands-on planetary science and engineering experiences for grades 3-8. The units are designed to be accessible and engaging for all learners, including those with different physical abilities and languages, and include comprehensive educator guides, […]
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NASA’s Roman Observatory Passes Spate of Key Tests
NASA’s Roman Observatory Passes Spate of Key Tests NASA’s Roman Observatory has passed several critical tests, including a shake test, acoustic testing, and thermal vacuum testing, to ensure its successful launch. The outer portion of the observatory, which includes the telescope, instrument carrier, and solar panels, underwent vibration and acoustic testing to replicate the rocket […]
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NASA’s 2025 Astronaut Candidates: Shaping Artemis Exploration
NASA’s 2025 Astronaut Candidates: Shaping Artemis Exploration NASA has selected its 24th astronaut class, consisting of 24 candidates from diverse backgrounds, including military test pilots, engineers, a physician, and a scientist. The new class will undergo nearly two years of training before becoming eligible for missions to low Earth orbit, the Moon, and eventually, Mars, […]
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NASA Orbiter Shines New Light on Long-Running Martian Mystery
NASA Orbiter Shines New Light on Long-Running Martian Mystery NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has revisited a mysterious feature on Mars’ south pole, which was previously suspected to be an underground lake. The MRO used an innovative radar technique called “very large rolls” to observe the area, which allowed it to penetrate deeper underground and […]
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NASA Crater Detection Challenge
NASA Crater Detection Challenge NASA is launching a challenge to develop methods for reliably detecting crater rims in lunar images. The goal is to advance future space exploration by improving terrain-based optical navigation using visible-light cameras on spacecraft. The project involves processing orbital images of lunar terrain to detect crater rims, identify craters from a […]
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Fern stems reveal secrets of evolution – how constraints in development can lead to new forms
Fern stems reveal secrets of evolution – how constraints in development can lead to new forms Ferns can teach us about evolution by examining their inner anatomy, particularly their stems and roots. The arrangement of vascular bundles in fern stems varies substantially, but recent research suggests that this variation is linked to the number and […]
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Drones, physics and rats: Studies show how the people of Rapa Nui made and moved the giant statues – and what caused the island’s deforestation
Drones, physics and rats: Studies show how the people of Rapa Nui made and moved the giant statues – and what caused the island’s deforestation Archaeologists have used drones to create a comprehensive 3D model of Rano Raraku, the volcanic crater where 95% of Rapa Nui’s giant statues were carved, revealing that 30 independent workshops […]
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CHAPEA Crew Begins Stay Inside NASA’s Mars Habitat for Second Mission
CHAPEA Crew Begins Stay Inside NASA’s Mars Habitat for Second Mission The CHAPEA (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog) mission 2 crew of four research volunteers has begun a 378-day simulated Mars mission inside NASA’s habitat, starting on October 19, 2025. The crew, consisting of Ross Elder, Ellen Ellis, Matthew Montgomery, and James Spicer, will […]
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Better MRIs may be on the way
Better MRIs may be on the way Better MRI scans may be on the horizon thanks to a new physics-based model that bridges molecular-scale dynamics with macroscopic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signals. The NMR eigenmodes framework, developed by researchers at Rice University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, solves the full physical equations for interpreting how […]
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Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence – and that affects what scientific journals choose to publish
Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence – and that affects what scientific journals choose to publish Scientific journals often favor studies that reject their null hypothesis over those that fail to reject it, leading to a phenomenon known as positive publication bias. The practice of preferring to publish studies that reject their null […]
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NASA, NOAA Rank 2025 Ozone Hole as 5th Smallest Since 1992
NASA, NOAA Rank 2025 Ozone Hole as 5th Smallest Since 1992 The 2025 ozone hole over Antarctica was the fifth smallest since 1992, with an average extent of approximately 7.23 million square miles (18.71 million square kilometers), according to NASA and NOAA. The ozone hole is expected to continue recovering later this century due to […]
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NASA Citizen Science Toolkit for Librarians
NASA Citizen Science Toolkit for Librarians NASA has created a new Toolkit for Librarians to help share NASA citizen science opportunities with patrons and community members. The toolkit includes a guide, editable poster, model agenda, and handout to prepare for and lead a NASA Science event for people ages 8 and up. The toolkit creators […]
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City Lights and Atmospheric Glow
City Lights and Atmospheric Glow JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui captured a stunning photo of southern Europe and the northwestern Mediterranean coast from the International Space Station on August 30, 2025. The photo shows the Po Valley urban corridor in Italy, with metropolitan areas of Milan and Turin shining brightly alongside their surrounding suburbs. Crew members […]
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Mid-Atlantic mushroom foragers collect 160 species for food, medicine, art and science
Mid-Atlantic mushroom foragers collect 160 species for food, medicine, art and science Mid-Atlantic mushroom foragers collect over 160 species of wild mushrooms for food, medicine, art, and science, with morels and chicken of the woods being the most commonly harvested. A study conducted by researchers found that mushroom harvesters in the region use a variety […]
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How will the universe end?
How will the universe end? The universe will likely continue to exist for billions of years, but its future is uncertain and subject to change. In a few billion years, the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies might collide, resulting in a spectacular view for future observers. Star formation will eventually shut down, leading to galaxies […]
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AI is making spacecraft propulsion more efficient – and could even lead to nuclear-powered rockets
AI is making spacecraft propulsion more efficient – and could even lead to nuclear-powered rockets Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming spacecraft propulsion by optimizing nuclear thermal engines, managing complex plasma confinement in fusion systems, and improving overall efficiency. Machine learning and reinforcement learning are key AI technologies being used to develop and operate advanced propulsion […]
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