technical updates

The observations offer a rare glimpse into our solar system's early history. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/uIVyzf2

The sun's visible disk has been perfectly free from sunspots for the first time since June 2022, suggesting the current solar cycle might be heading toward its quieter phase. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/gkJped5

Training harder may do more than build muscle—it could transform your gut. Researchers found that intense workouts change the balance of bacteria and important compounds in athletes’ digestive systems. When training loads dropped, diet quality slipped and digestion slowed, triggering different microbial shifts. These hidden changes might influence performance in ways scientists are only beginning to understand. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/sch0kT7

A UCLA study in mice reveals that aging muscle stem cells accumulate a protein that slows repair but boosts survival. This protein, NDRG1, acts like a brake, preventing cells from activating quickly after injury. When researchers blocked it in older mice, muscle healing sped up dramatically — but stem cells became less resilient over time. The work suggests aging may reflect a survival trade-off rather than straightforward decline. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/t8bgIWG

China's reusable Shenlong space plane launched on its fourth space mission earlier this month. What is it doing in Earth orbit, and how do those activities advance China's space goals? from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/Hnu3EKA

A major snow storm hitting the northeast U.S. has been captured in satellite imagery. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/UWebtC2