Science
Science

A Random Reminder That NASA Drew a Big Ol' Dick on the Surface of Mars

Science and exploration achievements by NASA throughout history includes humorous moments like the phallic figure drawn by the Spirit rover on Mars. [ more ]

nasa

TechCrunch

2 hours ago

Boeing's Starliner set to fly astronauts for the first time on May 6 | TechCrunch

Boeing's Starliner launching crewed mission to ISS on May 6, showcasing delays and challenges in comparison to SpaceX's successful missions. [ more ]

Mail Online

3 days ago

NASA finds traces of gas that could be a sign of life near mars crater

NASA's Curiosity Rover detected methane on Mars, potentially generated by geological processes, causing uncertainty about the source of the gas. [ more ]

www.scientificamerican.com

NASA's Rocks Are Stuck on Mars. SpaceX's Starship Could Retrieve Them

NASA's Mars Sample Return mission faces $11 billion cost overrun and a delay until 2040, prompting a shift to private companies for innovative solutions. [ more ]

Washington Post

NASA announces major overhaul of ambitious Mars Sample Return mission

NASA is overhauling the Mars Sample Return mission due to cost overruns and delays. [ more ]

Los Angeles Times

Too expensive, too slow: NASA asks for help with JPL's Mars Sample Return mission

NASA is committed to bringing back Mars samples but faces budget and time constraints, requesting industry input for quicker, cheaper alternatives. [ more ]

Mail Online

NASA is making announcement about Mars today - here's what we expect

NASA is expected to provide an update on the Mars Sample Return mission, which has faced criticism due to its budget and schedule. [ more ]

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Futurism

4 hours ago

SETI Scientist Says Announcement of Alien Life Could Be Imminent

Webby Awards

TechCrunch

5 hours ago

Gravitics to develop 'tactically responsive' orbital platforms for the Space Force | TechCrunch

Gravitics scored a $1.7 million contract from the U.S. Space Force to enable responsive space missions. [ more ]

english.elpais.com

5 hours ago

Excessive use of words like commendable' and meticulous' suggests ChatGPT has been used in thousands of scientific studies

The sudden rise in certain words in scientific studies in 2023 is attributed to the use of AI language models like ChatGPT for text writing and polishing. [ more ]

Futurism

7 hours ago

China Repairs Space Station Damaged by Debris Strike

China successfully conducts spacewalk to repair solar array damaged by debris, highlighting the importance of manned spacecraft for addressing orbital problems. [ more ]

Nature

Rat neurons repair mouse brains - and restore sense of smell

Two research teams have demonstrated that adding rat neurons to mouse brains that were missing crucial cells could help the organs to recover function,.

Futurism

10 hours ago

Orbiter Spots "Spiders" on Surface of Mars

Spiders on Mars are geologically created due to carbon dioxide sublimation, forming large patterns resembling spiders. [ more ]

www.npr.org

China launches a new crew to its space station, advancing toward lunar mission

China launched Shenzhou-18 carrying astronauts to live and work on homemade space station, part of ambitious space program with implications for U.S. [ more ]

Futurism

10 hours ago

Sun Blasts Comet, Breaking Off Its Tail

New footage from NASA captures a comet's tail being broken off by a solar eruption, showcasing the power of the Sun. [ more ]

Ars Technica

11 hours ago

Astrolab tacks toward a future where 100s of tons of cargo are shipped to the Moon

As a SpaceX engineer working on the Starship program about five years ago, Jaret Matthews could see the future of spaceflight quite clearly and began to imagine the possibilities.

Mail Online

12 hours ago

David Bowie was right! Euro space probes snap spiders on Mars

Araneiforms on Mars, resembling spiders but formed by unique CO2 processes. [ more ]

english.elpais.com

13 hours ago

Earth's protective sky is at least 3.7 billion years old

The Isua Greenstone Belt in Greenland holds evidence of Earth's first magnetic field 3.7 billion years ago, crucial for understanding the development of life and planetary conditions. [ more ]

Nature

China reveals most detailed Moon atlas ever made

The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has released the highest-resolution geological maps of the Moon yet.

Nature

'Shut up and calculate': how Einstein lost the battle to explain quantum reality

Quantum mechanics is successful but bewildering, involving probabilities and breaking the link between cause and effect. [ more ]

Theregister

13 hours ago

Japan's Moon lander makes it through another lunar night

Japan's Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) has exceeded all expectations by surviving three lunar nights despite malfunctioning electronics and lack of heaters. [ more ]

Los Angeles Times

15 hours ago

Serra High space team seeks to turn school into science destination

The space squad at Junipero Serra High School aims to expand scientific knowledge and advance technology by conducting experiments in microgravity conditions on the International Space Station. [ more ]

www.npr.org

He missed a chance to be the first Black astronaut. Now, at 90, he's going into space

Ed Dwight poses for a portrait in February to promote the National Geographic documentary film The Space Race during the Winter Television Critics Association Press Tour in Pasadena, Calif.

www.independent.co.uk

20 hours ago

Shetland spaceport receives range licence as launch plans progress

The UK's SaxaVord Spaceport has received a range control license from the CAA for upcoming launches, displaying commitment to safety and regulatory compliance. [ more ]

time.com

21 hours ago

Nemonte Nenquimo Says Mother Earth Is Calling and We All Need to Listen

Mother Earth's warnings require respect and collective action to battle the climate crisis. [ more ]

Inverse

Look! 3.7 Billion-Year-Old Rocks Reveal The Oldest Evidence of Earth's Magnetic Field

Oldest rocks in West Greenland show Earth's ancient magnetic field at 3.7 billion years ago. [ more ]

space-exploration

Futurism

3 days ago

Scientists Say Something Seems to Have Broken Off the Moon at This Crater

One near-Earth asteroid, Kamo'oalewa, is believed to have originated from the Moon's Giordano Bruno crater, linking it to lunar material and suggesting more such asteroids exist. [ more ]

www.scientificamerican.com

Look on Jeff Koons's Lunar Artwork, Ye Mighty, and Despair

The first-ever commercial moon landing success sparked discussions on humanity's role in space exploration, including the introduction of authorized artwork on the lunar surface. [ more ]

www.scientificamerican.com

May 2024: Science History from 50, 100 and 150 Years Ago

Mercury's surface resembles the moon, with large smooth areas and heavy core rich in iron, unlike the Earth's moon but similar to Earth in differentiation. [ more ]

Washington Post

NASA budget woes could doom $2 billion Chandra space telescope

Chandra X-Ray Observatory faces uncertain future due to budget constraints under NASA's 2025 budget request. [ more ]

morespace-exploration

Ars Technica

6 days ago

Rocket Report: Starship could save Mars Sample Return; BE-4s for second Vulcan

Welcome to Edition 6.40 of the Rocket Report!There was a lot of exciting news this week.For the first time, SpaceX launched a reusable Falcon 9 booster for a 20th flight.

www.scientificamerican.com

This Nearly 50-Foot Snake Was One of the Largest to Slither the Earth

The fossilized vertebrae found in an Indian coal mine belonged to a gigantic snake species named Vasuki indicus. [ more ]

www.scientificamerican.com

Hollywood Should Give Brain Science a Star Turn

Neuroscience and psychology are often poorly depicted in cinema and TV despite the success of science-focused films like Interstellar and Jurassic Park. [ more ]

www.scientificamerican.com

Earth's Coral Reefs Face a New, Deadly Mass Bleaching. They Can Still Be Saved

Ocean heat causing fourth global coral bleaching event in a decade. [ more ]

www.npr.org

COMIC: Our sun was born with thousands of other stars. Where did they all go?

The sun was born alongside thousands of other stars in a giant cloud, but where did its siblings go? [ more ]

www.space.com

Milky Way's 'Sleeping Giant' Black Hole Lurks Shockingly Close to Earth

The Milky Way has a new massive black hole, Gaia-BH3, 33 times more massive than the sun, located just 2,000 light years from Earth. [ more ]

www.scientificamerican.com

Spiderlike Mars Robot Might One Day Crawl through Unexplored Volcanic Caves

A robot designed in the spiderlike image of a daddy longlegs may be on its way to help scientists explore the next frontier on Mars: caves.

www.scientificamerican.com

This is How NASA's Artemis Astronauts Will Science the Heck Out of the Lunar South Pole

American astronauts on Artemis III mission to explore lunar south pole with advanced instruments for potential water discoveries and future astronaut outpost. [ more ]

Washington Post

Father-daughter team helps discover giant prehistoric sea beast

The discovery of a new species of giant ichthyosaur, potentially the biggest marine reptile yet discovered, by an 11-year-old and her father during a fossil hunt. [ more ]

Washington Post

Meet Noreen and Antonia, cloned ferrets who might help save their species

Cloning baby ferrets from frozen cells aims to save species from extinction by adding genetic diversity. [ more ]

www.scientificamerican.com

Neither Plants nor Animals, These Ocean Organisms Protect Their Ecosystems against Heat Waves

Mixotrophs, with both plant and animal characteristics, may play a critical role in combating marine heat wave impacts on ocean ecosystems. [ more ]

science-journalism

www.scientificamerican.com

The Evolution of a Big, Ugly Cry

Crying on planes can be intense and messy, not just picturesque droplets. [ more ]

knowablemagazine.org

2 weeks ago

Why Some People Always Get LostAnd Others Never Do

Navigational abilities vary widely among individuals, from highly accurate to completely random pointing.

Technologies like virtual reality and GPS tracking are revolutionizing navigation research, allowing the study of large groups in complex spaces. [ more ]

morescience-journalism

www.npr.org

Ancient predatory worms have scientists rethinking the history of life on Earth : Short Wave

Predatory worms with unique features lived in the water 500 million years ago, surprising researchers by resurfacing in the fossil record after a supposed extinction. [ more ]

www.scientificamerican.com

How a New AI Model Helps Volcanic History Rise from the Ashes

Artificial intelligence helps uncover deep history of volcanic eruptions like Novarupta, revealing patterns over hundreds of thousands of years. [ more ]

www.scientificamerican.com

Overconfidence Can Blindside Science and Society Alike. Here's How Not to Get Fooled

Support science journalism to ensure impactful stories. People may get defensive and send hate mail when confronted with conflicting beliefs. [ more ]

Washington Post

How did life on Earth begin? Cracks may have been the key.

The study demonstrates how heat flowing through interconnected geologic cracks could produce complex building blocks of life on early Earth. [ more ]

www.scientificamerican.com

In Matters of Scientific Debate, Follow the Houdini Rule

Scientists in the late 19th and early 20th centuries attempted to study paranormal activities scientifically. [ more ]

Kqed

Watch Ferns Get Freaky | KQED

Ferns reproduce through spores and swimming sperm, without the need for pollination. [ more ]

www.scientificamerican.com

Walks in Green Parks Mean Stronger Immune Systems and Better Mental Health

Like so many people, I took refuge in the outdoors during the worst of the COVID pandemic, going on socially distanced walks and sitting on the deck in all kinds of weather.

www.scientificamerican.com

Feathers, Fire, the Strong Force and Fairness

Feathers are marvels of evolutionary engineering, with recent discoveries improving understanding of their evolution, structure, and function. [ more ]

www.scientificamerican.com

Venomous Snakes May Spread into Vulnerable Communities because of Climate Change

From fish moving poleward in the oceans to mountain-dwelling birds and frogs inching upslope, animals all over the world are being forced by rising temperatures to leave their historic habitats in search of the conditions they've long been adapted to.

Nature

NASA admits plan to bring Mars rocks to Earth won't work - and seeks fresh ideas

NASA abandons costly and delayed Mars sample return plan, seeks quicker and cheaper alternatives. [ more ]

www.npr.org

Researchers have been trying to breed fungus-resistant chestnut trees for 100 years

Science We visit an orchard where researchers are breeding Chestnut trees they hope will one day fight off a fungus that's been killing the iconic American tree for more than a century.

The Verge

NASA needs a cheaper, faster way to bring Mars dirt back to Earth

NASA seeks faster, cheaper method to return Mars samples due to budget constraints. [ more ]

astronomy

www.npr.org

Never seen an exploding star? This year, you'll have your chance

A rare opportunity in 2022 to witness the explosion of the T Coronae Borealis star system in the Milky Way, akin to a once-in-a-lifetime event. [ more ]

www.scientificamerican.com

Where Is Planet Nine? Its Hiding Places Are Running Out

Astronomers have narrowed down possible locations for Planet Nine but have not found conclusive evidence of its existence yet. [ more ]

www.scientificamerican.com

Tides Move Heaven and Earth More Than You Know

Tides are not just the ebb and flow of the ocean but a force causing water movement, linked to gravity, affecting various celestial bodies. [ more ]

moreastronomy

www.scientificamerican.com

If Alien Life Is Found, How Should Scientists Break the News?

Scientists discussed potential discovery of extraterrestrial life and how to communicate it effectively to the public. [ more ]

www.scientificamerican.com

Colon Cancer Linked to Mouth Bacteria

Colon cancer research pointing to the potential link with a mouth bacterium for better diagnosis and therapies. [ more ]

www.scientificamerican.com

Do Sperm Whales Have Culture?

Sperm whales have distinct dialects and cultures, with clans showing unique vocalizations and behavioral characteristics. [ more ]

www.npr.org

2 cicada broods will emerge around the same time in the U.S.

Two different cicada broods will emerge simultaneously after 221 years, with seven species emerging in the Midwest and South. [ more ]

www.npr.org

Here's how the brain experiences pleasure even the kind that makes us feel guilty : Short Wave

Pleasure is a cycle of 'wanting' and 'liking', each with separate neural mechanisms. Fulfilling pleasure comes from sources that give meaning and connection with others. [ more ]

Washington Post

NASA releases free e-book on Hubble space mysteries

NASA released a free e-book 'Hubble Focus: The Dark Universe' exploring dark matter and dark energy learnings from the Hubble Space Telescope missions. [ more ]

www.npr.org

What biologists see from the shores of the drying Great Salt Lake

Scientists study the decline of the Great Salt Lake amid a record megadrought and climate change, emphasizing the importance of the ecosystem for migratory birds. [ more ]

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Heat and Floods Are Increasingly Hitting Coastlines with a One-Two Punch

Compound events of coastal flooding and heat waves are increasing due to global warming, posing greater risks for coastal communities. [ more ]

www.scientificamerican.com

Did Space Junk Strike a Home in Florida?

Space junk from ISS hit a home in Florida, raising concerns about human-made debris cluttering Earth's orbit. [ more ]

www.scientificamerican.com

Massive Cosmic Map Suggests Dark Energy Is Even Weirder Than We Thought

Dark energy's acceleration of cosmic expansion may be evolving over time, challenging previous assumptions. [ more ]

www.scientificamerican.com

Physicists Finally Know How the Strong Force Gets Its Strength

The strong force is the most powerful force in the universe but least understood by scientists. [ more ]

www.scientificamerican.com

We Are Living in the PyroceneAt Our Peril

Earth is a fire planet due to its biochemical relationship with life; humans have a unique ability to control fire, transforming themselves and ecosystems. [ more ]

www.scientificamerican.com

Black Scientists Are Building Their Own Vital Communities

Building community and support systems is essential for underrepresented scientists' perseverance and success. [ more ]

www.openmindmag.org

What Is Pollution Doing to Our Brains? 'Exposomics' Reveals Links to Many Diseases

Exposure to air pollution in childhood can lead to decreased brain volume and increased risk of brain diseases in adulthood. [ more ]

www.scientificamerican.com

A Random Influx of DNA from a Virus Helped Vertebrates Become So Stunningly Successful

Evolution can also happen abruptly through genetic modifications, such as the introduction of myelin by a virus in vertebrate DNA.

Myelin plays a significant role in the development of cognitive abilities and speed in information transmission in vertebrates, setting them apart from invertebrates. [ more ]

www.nature.com

Scientists Found a Way to Supercharge Cancer-Fighting Cells

Bioengineered CAR T cells can be rejuvenated by engineering high levels of a specific protein, resembling stem cells, enhancing cancer-fighting abilities. [ more ]

www.scientificamerican.com

What Chemicals Are Covered by EPA's New Drinking Water Rule?

The U.S. EPA has announced limits on PFAS chemicals in drinking water, giving suppliers three years to test for and two years to remove these persistent substances. [ more ]

subscriber.politicopro.com

2 weeks ago

U.S. Carbon Removal Needs Have a $100-Billion Price TagPer Year

The U.S. government needs to spend $100 billion yearly on carbon removal by 2050, 20 times more than previous commitments.

Carbon removal companies utilize various approaches, with the need for substantial funding driven by scientific and economic factors. [ more ]

www.npr.org

2 weeks ago