Category: Science

NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has provided new insights into the young star FU Orionis, located in the constellation Orion. Observations have uncovered extreme temperatures in the inner region of its accretion disk, challenging current models of stellar accretion. Using Hubble’s Cosmic Origins Spectrograph and Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph, astronomers captured far-ultraviolet and near-ultraviolet spectra, revealing […]

A recent NASA-funded study has observed findings about the molecular processes that might have shaped the origins of life on Earth. Research published in Nature Communications suggests that ribonucleic acid (RNA), a molecule believed to have predated DNA, exhibits no inherent bias in producing the left- or right-handed versions of amino acids. This challenges long-standing […]

The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Solar Orbiter spacecraft has delivered the most detailed images of the sun’s surface to date. These images, taken in March 2023 from a distance of approximately 74 million kilometres, were released on November 20. They provide unprecedented insights into the photosphere, the layer of the sun responsible for emitting visible […]

Efforts to create a comprehensive map of all human cells have taken a significant leap forward. Researchers associated with the Human Cell Atlas (HCA), a global scientific consortium, have released over 40 studies detailing critical progress in mapping the 37 trillion cells that make up the human body. These findings, published on 20 November in […]

A new study highlights the critical role of the Irminger Sea, located off southeastern Greenland, in maintaining the strength of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). The AMOC, a global ocean conveyor belt, is crucial for regulating Earth’s climate, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere. According to research led by Dr Qiyun Ma, a postdoctoral researcher […]

Mars’ two moons, Phobos and Deimos, could have originated from the debris of an asteroid torn apart by the planet’s gravity, according to recent simulations. Research published in Icarus suggests this scenario could explain the unique features of these moons, which differ significantly from typical spherical moons seen in the solar system. The potato-like shapes […]

Canada’s University Health Network said its Toronto Western Hospital would be the first non-US site of a trial for a device created by Neuralink Corp., Elon Musk’s brain-implant company.  “We are incredibly proud to be at the forefront of this research advancement in neurosurgery,” UHN Chief Executive Officer Kevin Smith said in an announcement. He […]

NASA‘s Perseverance rover, currently exploring Mars’ Jezero Crater, has detected carbon-based molecules that may hint at ancient life on the Red Planet. These findings, reported last summer, were made using SHERLOC (Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals), an advanced instrument capable of identifying potential organic compounds. While the discovery has […]

At the Supercomputing Conference or SC2024, NASA’s Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, Nicola Fox, detailed new computational tools intended to advance space science. NASA plans to employ a large language model across its science divisions, bolstered by foundation models tailored to Earth science, heliophysics, astrophysics, planetary science, and biological and physical sciences. This […]

Researchers have discovered a biological adaptation in heart cockles (Corculum cardissa), a species of bivalve found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. These clams possess unique structures in their shells that act similarly to fibre optics, guiding sunlight to symbiotic algae living within them. This allows the clams to provide their algae with the necessary […]

In a recent Senate testimony, Jon T. Kosloski, Director of the Pentagon’s All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), clarified the office’s stance on unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) and their ongoing investigations. Speaking to the U.S. Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities on November 19, Kosloski emphasised that AARO has yet to uncover verifiable […]

In a new study published on Tuesday, researchers from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) project suggest that the mysterious force known as dark energy might not remain constant over time, challenging existing assumptions in cosmology. While the findings hint that dark energy, believed to drive the universe’s accelerated expansion, may be waning, the study […]

A study conducted at the University of Birmingham has identified the precise shape of a single photon, reshaping how interactions between light and matter at the quantum level are understood. The study detailed in Physical Review Letters tells us how photons, or particles of light, are emitted and influenced by their surroundings, offering possibilities for […]

India’s Chandrayaan-2 lunar orbiter performed a manoeuvre in September to prevent a close encounter with the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO), officially known as Danuri, according to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The adjustment carried out on September 19, 2024, was necessary to avoid a potential collision between the two orbiters, which was projected […]

The Moon is gradually moving farther from Earth, a phenomenon explained by NASA scientists as a result of complex gravitational interactions. Currently, the Moon drifts away at a rate of approximately 4 centimetres per year, a process influenced by tidal forces between the Earth and its satellite. This steady separation, though imperceptible on a human […]

A recent study conducted by researchers from The University of Texas, Austin and the University of California, Los Angeles, has given significant insights into how ancient European populations adapted to their environments over 7,000 years. Published in Nature Communications, the research utilised ancient DNA from skeletal remains, applying advanced statistical techniques to detect genetic changes […]

India’s advanced GSAT-20 satellite has come under the control of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) following a successful deployment by SpaceX‘s Falcon 9 rocket. Launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Tuesday, the satellite aims to enhance broadband connectivity throughout India, with a particular focus on rural and remote regions and the ability to enable […]

The Indian Air Force (IAF), through its Base Repair Depot at Panchwati, Palam, has formalised a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID), Bengaluru. The agreement was signed on Monday in Bengaluru in a ceremony attended by senior officials, including Air Vice […]

El Ojo, a peculiar floating island located in the Paraná Delta of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, has captivated attention due to its perfect circular shape and unusual movement. Measuring 387 feet (118 metres) in diameter, the island drifts gently within an equally circular lake, creating an otherworldly and striking sight. Its distinctiveness lies not only […]

NASA‘s Curiosity rover has completed its study of the Gediz Vallis channel. In this process it has captured a 360-degree panorama before moving towards a new target called the boxwork. This mysterious region, located on the slopes of Mount Sharp, has been under scrutiny to uncover the role of water in Mars‘ transition from a […]

A 2,600-year-old inscription engraved on a monument in Turkey, known as Arslan Kaya or “lion rock,” has been deciphered, according to research by Professor Mark Munn of Pennsylvania State University. This ancient carving, which has endured significant damage from weathering and looting, contains references to Materan, a goddess revered by the Phrygians, an ancient civilisation […]

A bottlenose dolphin residing alone in the Baltic Sea has been documented producing thousands of vocalisations, potentially as a result of loneliness. Known locally as Delle, this dolphin was first noticed in the Svendborgsund channel near Funen Island, Denmark, in 2019. Bottlenose dolphins typically thrive in social pods, but no other dolphins have been seen […]

A puzzling ‘zebra’ pattern in high-frequency radio waves emitted by the Crab Nebula’s pulsar might finally have an explanation, according to new research by Mikhail Medvedev, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Kansas. This unique pattern, characterized by unusual frequency-based band spacing, has intrigued astrophysicists since its discovery in 2007. Medvedev’s findings, […]

Jeff Bezos’ aerospace venture, Blue Origin, has confirmed plans to launch its ninth crewed mission, NS-28, on Friday, November 22, 2024. The suborbital spaceflight will take off from the company’s West Texas facility during a designated window starting at 10:30 a.m. EST. Viewers can watch the live broadcast via Blue Origin’s official channels or Space.com, […]

SpaceX is slated to launch its gargantuan Starship rocket on Tuesday out of South Texas, a key test that is expected to include a guest visit from President-elect Donald Trump. The sixth major test mission comes as SpaceX Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk is heavily engaged in transition planning for Trump’s second administration. Musk, who […]

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched the Optus-X telecommunications satellite into orbit on Sunday, November 17, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The liftoff took place at 5:28pm EST coinciding with a sunset that added visual appeal to the event. The satellite, commissioned by the Australian telecom company Optus, will serve communication needs […]

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket has successfully launched the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) GSAT-20, a sophisticated communication satellite, on November 19. The mission took place at 12:01 am from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The satellite, weighing 4,700kg, was deployed into geosynchronous transfer orbit after a 34-minute flight. This was the Elon […]

India has unveiled an ambitious plan to construct a moon-orbiting space station by 2040, aiming to establish a sustainable human presence beyond Earth’s orbit. The proposed station will facilitate crewed lunar missions and support scientific research, according to recent reports from Indian media. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the nation’s growing space exploration […]

An excavation near Leicester Cathedral has led to the discovery of a burial pit containing the remains of 123 individuals. The find, described as one of the largest mass graves from the period, dates back over 800 years to the early 12th century. Despite the scale of the burial, no evidence of violence was found, […]

Dr Jane Goodall, renowned primatologist and conservationist, has raised the alarm over an accelerating global biodiversity crisis, describing it as the “sixth great extinction.” Speaking during her latest environmental awareness tour in Europe, Dr Goodall emphasised the importance of immediate measures to combat deforestation, restore natural habitats, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. During an […]