Science
Tracks Along the Longest Drive on Another World
Written by Vandi Verma, Chief Engineer for Robotic Operations at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory Oct. 12, 2026 Since the last blog update, Perseverance has achieved a major miles…
Mirror-image molecules are difficult to separate from their counterparts, but a new catalytic method might be the answer
Just like gloves, molecules can have left- and right-handed—or mirror-image—forms. Because the left- and right-handed molecules are still very similar, scientists have had trouble…
'Invisible' tweak could help make protein shakes less clumpy
Scientists from RMIT University and Riga Technical University in Latvia have shown that static charge left on surfaces can be controlled, which may have big benefits for companies…
'The fishing's terrible': Deforestation devastates Central African river
Sitting in his narrow dugout canoe, Jean-Romeo Senguemboli frowned at the meager catch in his nets on the Central African Republic's Mbali River, where experts say deforestation i…
Bending a liquid: Liquid membranes flex 100 times more easily than cell membranes
Many structures in biology are bounded by membranes, but not all of them. Droplets of a liquid called a coacervate, which form when oppositely charged molecules come together in w…
Science on the Space Station with NASA Astronaut Jessica Watkins
NASA astronaut and Expedition 75 flight engineer Jessica Watkins works inside the Kibo laboratory module’s Life Science Glovebox on Oct. 9, 2026, safely mixing living cell samples…
Newly identified metabolic pathway helps explain how cold extends lifespan
Moderately cold temperatures have proven to effectively extend lifespan and delay age-related decline in animals. However, how cold temperatures trigger these beneficial effects a…
Scientists reveal how deadly Andes hantavirus attaches to human cells
Earlier this year, an outbreak of Andes hantavirus on a cruise ship, which killed three passengers and sickened 13, highlighted the lack of approved vaccines or treatments for the…
Physicists trap and tame single particle of antimatter for months
For the first time, Northwestern University physicists have coaxed a single positron—the antimatter counterpart of an electron—into an exquisitely controlled quantum state.
How many insects are there—and why do we need them?
There are an estimated 10 quintillion insects alive on Earth at any given time. That's 10,000,000,000,000,000,000 individual insects. But how many species are there, why do we nee…
Bering Sea heat wave linked to a surprising boom in the number of hybrid crabs
Marine heat waves are usually seen as destructive events that can disrupt entire ocean ecosystems and trigger massive environmental damage. In 2018 and 2019, an extreme heat wave …
"A great budget lens for astrophotography, the sharpness produced at f/1.8 and f/2.8 is exactly what you want." Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 FE lens review
The Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 FE is an impressive ultra-wide-angle prime lens offering great handling, build quality and image quality for an affordable price.
Kissing bugs can spread potentially fatal Chagas disease when dogs eat them
In the southern United States and across Latin America, kissing bugs can bite people and pets both outdoors and when they enter homes. While not every kissing bug carries disease,…
More than a million mice used in Australian research annually, ‘overdue’ study finds
Advocates say having national data about numbers of rats and mice used in research can help boost public trust in scienceGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcas…
Giant Jurassic fossil sheds light on the evolution of a six-legged predator
Insects belong to a broader group of six-legged animals called hexapods. This group also includes other less well-known, small animals, including diplurans or two-pronged bristlet…
Space botanist conducts plant experiments in orbit | Space photo of the day for Oct. 21, 2026
NASA astronaut Luke Delaney conducts botany experiments on the ISS.
Beyond infections, bacteria reveal promise for making medicines and protecting crops
Bacteria get a bad reputation—with all the outbreaks, infections and deaths.
Astronomers uncover the engine behind the most powerful stellar flares in the Kepler field
A new study led by researchers at the Konkoly Observatory of the HUN-REN Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences (HUN-REN CSFK) in Budapest has revealed what makes a dist…
Australia urged to put biodiversity at the heart of planning as global targets slip out of reach
The world is falling short of its biodiversity commitments because nature is still treated as an afterthought in decisions about housing, infrastructure, agriculture, energy, mini…
The ocean's most abundant 'loner' microbe has a sticky second life
The oxygen in about every other breath we take comes from microscopic cells—phytoplankton—drifting in the surface of the ocean. Among them is Prochlorococcus, the smallest and mos…
When will SpaceX and Blue Origin fly to the moon? NASA reveals lunar lander timelines (and an Artemis III update)
NASA has updated the timeline for its Artemis III mission and mapped out the expected progress for SpaceX and Blue Origin's respective moon landers.
Genomes of 20 eastern Finnish species provide unique insights into species' adaptations to local conditions
In recent years, researchers at the University of Eastern Finland have been both leading and contributing to collaborative genome projects. These efforts have produced reference-q…
NASA’s CASALS Instrument Bridges Gaps in 3D Maps of Earth’s Surface
From orbit, today’s space-based laser instruments measure Earth’s forests and terrain one narrow line at a time. Between those lines are enormous gaps that include millions of acr…
Orionid meteor shower peaks tonight: Here's the best time to spot shooting stars
The Orionid meteor shower peaks tonight (Oct. 21-22) in the light of a waxing moon. Here's what to expect from one of Autumn's greatest natural light shows.