Category: Science

A novel fluorescent protein has been created using artificial intelligence (AI), with scientists estimating that its natural evolution would have required half a billion years. The protein, known as esmGFP, was designed by an AI model trained on extensive biological data, leading to the development of a structure distinct from naturally occurring green fluorescent proteins […]

A major development in stem cell science has been achieved with the creation of a bi-paternal mouse, marking a significant step in reproductive biology. Scientists have successfully engineered a mouse with two male biological parents, which managed to survive into adulthood. This research, conducted by a team of stem cell experts, has addressed longstanding barriers […]

New insights into the “dark universe,” which includes both dark matter and dark energy, have emerged from a new method of studying 3D maps of galaxies. Scientists have used sophisticated computer algorithms to analyse the relative positions of galaxies in a 3D framework, unveiling previously hidden information that could challenge or support the standard model […]

An unidentified celestial object, estimated to be eight times the mass of Jupiter, may have significantly altered the orbits of four outer planets in the solar system. Reports suggest that this planetary-sized body entered the solar system billions of years ago, passing remarkably close to the Sun—near what is now Mars’ orbit. The event is […]

A groundbreaking mission designed to enhance understanding of the universe’s origins and the potential for life within our galaxy is set to be discussed in an upcoming NASA briefing. The SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer) mission will be previewed during a news conference scheduled for 12 […]

The remains of a young pregnant woman, who lived approximately 1,200 years ago during the Manteño period in Ecuador, have been unearthed by archaeologists. Her grave contained a striking combination of artifacts and evidence of violent death, which has led researchers to suspect ritual sacrifice. The discovery was made at the Buen Suceso site, where […]

A significant discovery has been made in the field of astronomy, with 19 new quasars, including strongly-lensed, dual, and projected types, identified through analysis of data from the DESI Legacy Surveys photometry catalog. This breakthrough highlights the potential of quasar observations in furthering our understanding of the universe. These objects, known for their extreme luminosity […]

A major scientific breakthrough is anticipated with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, currently under construction on Cerro Pachón in Chile, as it prepares to embark on its decade-long Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). Scheduled to commence this year, this endeavour is expected to detect millions of Type Ia supernovae, commonly referred to as […]

Microscopic organisms, discovered in the tropical peatlands of Peru’s northwestern Amazon, have been identified as playing a significant role in influencing Earth’s climate. Researchers, in collaboration with local institutions, have revealed how these microbes contribute to the carbon cycle in ways that could either mitigate or intensify climate change. Found in waterlogged and oxygen-deprived conditions, […]

A mutant strain of cyanobacterium, nicknamed “Chonkus,” has been identified by researchers as a promising candidate for combating climate change. Found in shallow waters near Vulcano Island off Italy, this microbe demonstrates unique traits that make it highly efficient at absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Chonkus grows larger than other cyanobacteria, stores significant amounts […]

The UK government has announced its decision to dispose of 140 tonnes of radioactive plutonium stored at the Sellafield site in Cumbria. This stockpile, the largest of its kind globally, has been accumulated over decades as a by-product of nuclear fuel reprocessing. Previously retained for potential recycling into new nuclear fuel, the material will now […]

Efforts to explain the universe’s anomalies continue to focus on dark matter, a mysterious form of matter believed to account for most of the universe’s mass. This invisible entity influences galaxy movements and cosmic structures far more than visible matter. While researchers have long explored potential mass ranges for dark matter, a new study reveals […]

A 14-year-old student from Noida, Daksh Malik, has achieved a rare feat by identifying an asteroid through NASA’s International Asteroid Discovery Project (IADP). This discovery has earned him the opportunity to propose a name for the asteroid after its verification by NASA, a process that may take up to five years. Daksh, a Class 9 […]

The advancement of electric propulsion technology for spacecraft may soon overcome critical challenges, aided by supercomputer simulations. This propulsion method, relying on ion engines, is recognised for its efficiency and is increasingly adopted in missions beyond Earth’s atmosphere. By using electric currents to ionise gases like xenon, these systems generate thrust through a high-speed ion […]

The X-59, a supersonic jet developed by NASA and Lockheed Martin, has reached a significant milestone with its afterburner engine tests. Designed as part of NASA’s Quesst program, the aircraft aims to achieve supersonic speeds while minimising the disruptive sonic booms that have long restricted such flights over populated areas. Recent tests at Lockheed Martin’s […]

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a significant milestone on Wednesday with the successful launch of the NVS-02 navigation satellite aboard the GSLV-F15 rocket. The mission, conducted from Sriharikota at 6:23 am, marked the 100th launch by the Indian space agency. The satellite was placed into the intended Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), reinforcing India’s Navigation […]

Astronauts returning from extended space missions are reported to experience significant changes in eye health, linked to prolonged exposure to microgravity. Researchers have identified that the altered blood flow and pressure conditions in space can lead to vision problems. These changes are primarily associated with a condition termed spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS), affecting around 70 […]

For the first time, astronomers have directly observed a supermassive black hole ejecting a jet of plasma traveling at one-third the speed of light. This rare phenomenon, located 270 million light-years away in the constellation Draco, centers around the black hole at the heart of galaxy 1ES 1927+654, which holds a mass 1.4 billion times […]

NASA is preparing to launch two rockets through the aurora borealis to investigate the unique phenomena of these luminous ribbons of light over Alaska. This mission is designed to understand the distinct behaviours of auroras, including their flickering, pulsating patterns and the mysterious dark voids known as “black auroras.” The launches will take place at […]

The universe is thought to be teeming with invisible entities called boson stars, formed from an exotic material that neither shines nor emits detectable radiation. These celestial objects might hold the key to the enigma of dark matter, which accounts for approximately a quarter of the cosmos’s mass-energy content. While theoretical models propose that dark […]

The bright protostar T Tauri, situated 471 light-years away in the Taurus constellation, is expected to vanish from view for decades. This dimming phenomenon, triggered by a thick disk of gas and dust surrounding its companion stars, could last up to a century. Astronomers have been observing this system, comprising three growing stars, for decades […]

Researchers have achieved a milestone in quantum computing by integrating 1,024 silicon-based quantum dots with digital and analog on-chip electronics, all operating at cryogenic temperatures below 1 Kelvin. This innovation is expected to advance the development of scalable quantum computing systems, which have long faced challenges in balancing scalability, performance, and energy efficiency. The integration […]

A significant portion of Central Europe’s highly productive agricultural land has already experienced a decline due to climate-driven changes, with further challenges expected in the coming decades. Shifting climate patterns have led to the expansion of dry and hot conditions unsuitable for traditional crop cultivation, resulting in a notable shift of fertile zones towards the […]

A small near-Earth asteroid, 2024 PT5, has sparked interest among scientists due to its potential lunar origins. Discovered in August 2024, the object remained near Earth for several months before resuming its orbit around the Sun. Measuring approximately 10 meters in width, the asteroid is believed to have been ejected from the Moon thousands of […]

A vast number of icy exocomets have been identified orbiting 74 star systems, unveiling a complex picture of planetesimal belts situated far from their parent stars. These belts, comprised of millimeter-sized particles generated by cometary collisions, highlight the intricate processes shaping planetary systems. Observations suggest that these cold, distant regions could play a crucial role […]

A backward-facing pouch, specialised limbs for digging, and a button-like nose have made the marsupial mole of Australia a subject of intrigue and scientific curiosity for decades. Despite its name and mole-like appearance, this elusive animal has perplexed researchers trying to determine its place in the animal kingdom. Rarely seen in the wild, this subterranean […]

New research has highlighted a fascinating link between human outer ears and the gills of ancient fish. Gene-editing experiments have revealed that the cartilage in fish gills may have migrated to form the outer ear structures seen in mammals today. Scientists believe this evolutionary transformation took place millions of years ago, suggesting that the origins […]

A fossilised neck bone from a juvenile flying reptile has been discovered in Canada, shedding light on predator-prey interactions from 76 million years ago. Found in Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, the vertebra displays clear evidence of being bitten by a crocodile-like predator. This rare find offers a glimpse into the Cretaceous Period, where such encounters […]

India’s journey toward human space exploration marked a critical step with the dispatch of the Crew Module for the first uncrewed mission under the Gaganyaan project. The module, integrated with a liquid propulsion system at the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Bengaluru, has been sent to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This […]

Evidence of hominin activity has been discovered in Romania, dating back approximately 1.95 million years, significantly altering the timeline of human presence in Europe. Fossil remains, found at the Grăunceanu site in the Olteț River Valley, have provided the earliest known proof of hominin activity in the region. This discovery indicates that early humans reached […]