Science
Solar Orbiter tracks origin of mysterious magnetic switchbacks
The European Space Agency–led Solar Orbiter spacecraft has flown through an S-shaped kink known as a "switchback" in the solar wind's magnetic field. By fingerprinting the elusive…
Maryland Demands Answers as Fuel Leak Persists From Joint Base Andrews
Maryland environmental regulators say jet fuel continues to seep into Piscataway Creek from Joint Base Andrews more than six months after the spill was reported, despite the base’…
In Harrisburg, Advocates Rally for Tougher Rules on Fracking
Environmental groups and citizens are urging Pennsylvania regulators to increase the minimum amount of protective buffer space between gas wells and homes, schools and water sourc…
As species decline, green turtles offer a glimmer of hope
The palm-sized green turtle hatchling flailing through the sand on a Malaysian island may seem vulnerable, but its species has emerged as a symbol of hope for wildlife conservatio…
Margaret Hamilton, scientist who worked on NASA's Apollo program, dead at 90
American scientist Margaret Hamilton, who led development of the computer system used by NASA's Apollo lunar program, has died at 90, her former employer said Wednesday.
Britons kept in dark about scale of climate crisis, say viewers of ‘first-of-its-kind’ emergency briefing
Nine out of 10 people felt motivated to act after watching film outlining threats to food security, economy and public healthThe British government must be honest about the scale …
New collar sensor could reveal how wildfire smoke affects animal health
When wildfire smoke fills the air, most people can go inside to avoid it. Wildlife does not have that option, and little is known about how animals living in remote areas respond …
APOD: 2026 October 8 – The Saturn System Smörgåsbord
APOD Science APOD APOD: 2026 October 8 – The… Today’s APOD Archive Submissions Index Search Calendar RSS Education About Discuss APOD Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the c…
Fighting Drought in Texas Cotton Country
Drought and an ailing aquifer were major topics of conversation when NASA scientists visited with farmers in the Texas High Plains.
Teenager becomes first person to have testicular tissue transplant in UK
Operation on 19-year-old who had no sperm after chemotherapy offers hope of preserving children’s fertility after cancer treatment Surgeons have performed the first testicular tis…
Listening to hidden insects could give farmers an early warning of crop pests
Crawling through muddy soybean fields to inspect several plant-mounted microphones was not on Emily Sur's graduate school bingo card, but she's not mad about it. Her research offe…
Rising seas threaten the world's migratory shorebirds
Birds undertake some of the world's most impressive migrations, traveling hundreds to thousands of kilometers every year in search of safe breeding grounds and seasonally abundant…
Margaret Hamilton, trailblazer whose software powered Apollo 11 moon landing, dies at 90
MIT computer scientist led development of software for moon mission and earned Presidential Medal of FreedomMargaret Hamilton, the computer pioneer whose software powered the firs…
Artemis II crew moon photo annotations
A visualization of a dark moon eclipsing the sun is marked with handwritten notes in this April 6, 2026, screenshot from an Artemis II crew member's tablet.
How a harmful bacterium senses iron—and why it matters for fighting infections
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common culprit in hospital-acquired bacterial infections and is growing more resistant to antibiotics. New findings from Aaron Smith, professor of chem…
Superbug P. aeruginosa uses two protein plugs to seal channels against antibiotics
A joint research team has identified a new mechanism underlying antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a major multidrug-resistant "superbug." The discovery provides imp…
Chain reaction that begins when tumor suppression gene is switched off offers clues to how cancer develops
A tumor suppressor gene known as p53 is mutated in more than half of all cancers, but how it acts to prevent cancer formation is largely unknown. A study by UT Southwestern Medica…
Nobel physics winner's pride at pioneering AI role
Francis Halzen, winner of the Nobel Prize in physics, spoke with pride on Wednesday about his early promotion of artificial intelligence in his research on neutrinos.
'Things are going super well at 39A': SpaceX gearing up to launch Starship from Florida for 1st time
SpaceX is working hard to get historic Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center ready for launches of the company's Starship megarocket. The first such liftoff may be just a few mon…
Eight-year analysis reveals how sunlight and nutrients shape sustainable urban farming
Factors such as sunlight and stage-specific nutrient application determine crop success in urban agriculture, far beyond fixed recipes or miracle solutions. The findings are publi…
Undergraduate student may have solved puzzle regarding isolated galaxies that have stopped producing stars
An undergraduate astrophysics student at UC Berkeley has found three unusual galaxies—cataloged as Shapiro Dwarf Galaxies I, II and III. Each galaxy is far from other galaxies and…
New approach to plant stress studies could yield hardier crops and medical insights
At the University of Missouri, plant scientist Ron Mittler is rewriting the playbook for how scientists study life by asking what happens when living organisms face multiple stres…
NASA Sets Coverage for SpaceX 35th Station Resupply Launch, Arrival
NASA and SpaceX are targeting 6:33 a.m. EDT, Tuesday, Oct. 13, for the next launch to deliver science investigations, supplies, and equipment, including the final set of Internati…
New polystyrene uses 50% plant-based material and breaks into fragments for potential recycling
Polystyrene is used in protective packaging for televisions and electronic devices, in decorative boards and baseboards for interior construction, and in petri dishes. It is one o…