technical updates

SpaceX launched two Falcon 9 rockets in just over an hour early Saturday (Aug. 31) and nailed back-to-back booster landings just days after a recent failure. from Space https://ift.tt/aDQNBJd

Synchronizing periodic excitations of photocatalysts with a Michelson interferometer on operando FT-IR spectroscopy, researchers succeeded in observing and identifying the reactive electron species for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. In contrast to the traditional belief, this study demonstrates that not the free electrons in metal cocatalysts but the electrons trapped in the periphery of cocatalysts directly contribute to the photocatalysis. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/PzRfL3p

NASA's Perseverance Mars rover has started off on its most ambitious ascent yet to the rim of Jezero Crater. from Space https://ift.tt/paZPOSX

An archaeogenetic study sheds new light on the isolated medieval community Las Gobas in northern Spain. Besides isolation and endogamy, the researchers have also identified the variola virus which can offer a new explanation on how smallpox entered Iberia. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/4bXADUm

Blue Origin set a new record with today's space tourism launch, sending the youngest woman beyond the 62-mile-high (100 kilometers) Kármán line. from Space https://ift.tt/wmcVhu7

Netflix's grim new 'Terminator Zero' anime series is a triumph of serious storytelling and killer robot action. from Space https://ift.tt/JVfTDe7

New research has found limits to how quickly we can scale up technology to store gigatons of carbon dioxide under the Earth's surface. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/6Fg1mb3

An early mockup of NASA's winged orbiters, Pathfinder was returned to its position atop a space shuttle propulsion "stack" at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. from Space https://ift.tt/8LYDykM

In-person contact helps lead to lower levels of loneliness in older people, but other ways of staying in touch, such as phoning, emailing or texting, are not as effective in lowering loneliness, a team of researchers found. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/9aOWjEi

The SLIM moon lander survived a staggering three lunar nights before JAXA officially declared the mission to be over. from Space https://ift.tt/XyTu47d

Neuroscientists have sought to better understand brain function but lacked the capability to observe neuronal activity deep within the brain. Scientists have applied rational molecular engineering to develop photoacoustic probes that can be used deep within brain tissue to label and visualize neurons. This imaging approach expands significantly on what neuroscientists have been able to see with conventional light microscopy, offering the potential to report on deep neuron activity and better understand brain function. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/z4NTB3C

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has discovered half a dozen rogue planets, one of which apparently hosts a newly forming moon system. from Space https://ift.tt/IS8u1Yx

Researchers discovered that treating pancreatic cancer with a common chemotherapy drug makes immunotherapy more effective. Folinic acid elevates levels of two anti-cancer immune molecules within pancreatic tumors: natural killer T cells and type-I interferons. In mice, this led to a more effective immune response, slower tumor growth, and longer survival. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/NdlFZcL

SpaceX test-fired the first stage of Polaris Dawn's Falcon 9 rocket over the weekend, keeping the historic astronaut mission on track for an Aug. 27 launch. from Space https://ift.tt/ghs9iyT

The first ever 3D radiation map of Jupiter and its moons has been created using low-light cameras aboard the Juno Spacecraft that have been tweaked to operate as radiation detectors. from Space https://ift.tt/rWGPFRw

As space agencies and private companies look toward sending human crews to Mars, they'll have to find ways to mitigate the dangers posed by high-energy radiation from solar storms. from Space https://ift.tt/MzAf5kG

Many red supergiant monster stars lurk in a Milky Way cluster astronomers have discovered with the Gaia space telescope. The cluster, Barbá 2, could help understand why some stars become black holes. from Space https://ift.tt/wcYhyVD

The total solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026, will pass over parts of Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Portugal and Spain. from Space https://ift.tt/0JZybr7

New research has uncovered a series of mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that enhanced the virus' ability to infect the brains of mice. The findings may help scientists understand its neurological symptoms and the mystery of 'long COVID,' and they could one day even lead to specific treatments to protect and clear the virus from the brain. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/MiZEFbw

NASA decided Saturday (Aug. 24) to return its two Boeing Starliner astronaut to Earth in February 2025 and their Starliner capsule empty over thruster concerns. from Space https://ift.tt/BTwlafG

How effective medications are depends on various factors, including the time of day when they are administered. Why? Because our bodies don't always function exactly the same. Instead, they follow the cycle set by their internal clock, otherwise known as circadian rhythm. But since each person's circadian rhythm is different and depends on a number of different factors, it is difficult to tailor medication schedules to an individual patient's body clock. Researchers have now developed a method for determining the optimum time of cancer treatment based on certain breast cancer cell lines. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/bQwAFIs

The Lego Star Wars Millennium Falcon is 20% off on Amazon and it comes with 1351 pieces as well as numerous playable features. from Space https://ift.tt/J6MH72a

A new study reveals that tarantulas are often on friendly terms with amphibians, reptiles, and even army ants, which are known to feed on spiders. The researchers suggest that the dense hair covering tarantulas may have in fact evolved as a defense mechanism against these predatory ants. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/qkmSC8f

Scientists used the CHARA Array atop Mount Wilson in California to resolve previously unknown features of the North Star. from Space https://ift.tt/NSV1s2F

Researchers have discovered the neurons responsible for 'item memory,' deepening our understanding of how the brain stores and retrieves the details of 'what' happened and offering a new target for treating Alzheimer's disease. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/Pz0yL72

Netflix has begun the countdown to a "re-launch" of one of NASA's most well-known missions in spaceflight history. The streaming service has set Sep. 5 for the premiere of "Apollo 13: Survival." from Space https://ift.tt/VDOdW1k

NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick takes a dramatic bite of an orange slice in a new video, illustrating the joy of receiving rare fresh fruit deliveries on the ISS. from Space https://ift.tt/1zO0jEI

Detecting diseases early requires the rapid, continuous and convenient monitoring of vital biomarkers. Researchers have now developed a novel sensor that enables the continuous, and real-time detection of solid-state epidermal biomarkers, a new category of health indicators. The team's wearable, stretchable, hydrogel-based sensor overcomes the limitations of current methods that rely on biofluid samples, such as blood, urine and sweat. This makes it a promising alternative for wearable, continuous, and real-time health monitoring, facilitating the early detection of conditions such as cardiovascular diseases and stroke. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/NnXsjKw

Save a massive $240 on the Celestron NexStar 8SE telescope, a scope we rate as the best motorized model on the market. from Space https://ift.tt/WrZnxzg

A new study that details trends among psychiatric hospitalizations between 2015-2019 finds that while most hospitalizations did not involve any substances, methamphetamine-related hospitalizations have increased while overall number of psychiatric hospitalizations remained stable. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/ORU2Hc4

NASA's Perseverance rover didn't find organic matter within the rocks, but scientists will keep looking. from Space https://ift.tt/kEA6T1u

Don't miss the stunning Supermoon Blue Moon rise above the sea in this free livestream, courtesy of the Virtual Telescope Project. from Space https://ift.tt/A4xC2Uh

Inherited diseases of metabolism and immunity have more in common than previously recognized, according to a new study. The findings point to a new set of metabolic genes that are important for the function of immune system T cells, and they offer insights that could improve care for patients with these disorders. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/b8tgAWf

A preview of "Star Trek: Discovery The Final Season" Blu-ray and limited edition Steelbook release from Space https://ift.tt/wt0BKJ7

Scientists have uncovered the "genetic fingerprint" of the dinosaur-killing Chicxulub impactor, potentially revealing the fateful rock's origins in the outer reaches of our solar system. from Space https://ift.tt/ZXG4T8D

John McFall, a reserve U.K. para-astronaut with the European Space Agency, recently participated in a feasibility study for ISS astronauts with disabilities. He told Space.com what's coming next. from Space https://ift.tt/zAfXmxg

Generative AI features might be the Pixel 8a's standout selling point, but its software support and camera technology are fantastic, given the price. from Space https://ift.tt/rF3tTHw

Researchers have demonstrated a technique for printing thin metal oxide films at room temperature, and have used the technique to create transparent, flexible circuits that are both robust and able to function at high temperatures. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/tV0ZyYq

A new study assessed the feasibility of recovering phosphorus from municipal wastewater as an alternative sustainable source of this non-renewable mineral. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/fRsThrL

Angel City Brewery releasing cans of Aspen Beer as seen in the original 'Alien' film from Space https://ift.tt/aEFTNb5

Researchers have produced a genetic analysis of Lyme disease bacteria that may pave the way for improved diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of the tick-borne ailment. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/pFozDxc

Auroras on Earth occur when storms from our sun engulf our planet. In a rare cosmic feat last April, our planet returned the favor. from Space https://ift.tt/CBrHhJM

Ancient fossil beans about the size of modern limes, and among the largest seeds in the fossil record, may provide new insight into the evolution of today's diverse Southeast Asian and Australian rainforests, according to researchers who identified the plants. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/O1k847a

July is in the books as yet another record-setting month of extreme heat and weather. from Space https://ift.tt/jhdQAz1

Researchers used large language models to efficiently detect anomalies in time-series data, without the need for costly and cumbersome training steps. This method could someday help alert technicians to potential problems in equipment like wind turbines or satellites. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/4jw2IiN

Methane-oxidizing bacteria could play a greater role than previously thought in preventing the release of climate-damaging methane from lakes, researchers from Bremen report. They also show who is behind the process and how it works. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/qzK2WVp

MRI scans could replace invasive heart tests, as new research shows they can reliably estimate pressures inside the heart to predict if a patient will develop heart failure. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/8m4L2Rl

Though magnetars and pulsars are two distinct types of neutron stars, astronomers have spotted a magnetar mimicking a pulsar after launching a mysterious blast of intense radiation. from Space https://ift.tt/37AaGkd

Young children often display similar eating behavior as their parents, with a parent's own eating style influencing how they feed their children. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/Ri2mME7

Lionsgate and Gearbox's long-awaited Borderlands movie is a dreary mess that lacks almost everything that made the source material pop. from Space https://ift.tt/xMF0fPW

Most of us learned about butterfly metamorphosis as a kid -- a wriggly caterpillar molts its skin to form a tough chrysalis and emerges as a beautiful butterfly. But how exactly do chrysalises stay anchored as the butterfly brews within? Research shows that, despite their silks being weak and thin on their own, caterpillars can expertly spin them into chrysalis support structures resembling hook-and-loop fasteners and multi-strand safety tethers. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/vlCgu81

How do foraging animals find their food? A new study shows that lemurs use smell, social cues, and long-term memory to locate hidden fruit -- a combination of factors that may have deep evolutionary roots. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/6TQf5ld

Nearly a quarter of children with recurrent wheezing have 'silent' lung infections that would be better treated with antiviral medications than commonly prescribed steroids that can carry lifelong side effects, new research reveals. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/zmWZ3V0

An exclusive clip for Hulu's "Solar Opposites" Season 5, which returns with 12 new episodes on Aug. 12, 2024. from Space https://ift.tt/hTFSPQr

NASA's NEOWISE spacecraft turned off its transmitter for good on Aug. 8, wrapping up its prolific asteroid-hunting career. from Space https://ift.tt/YTf9ZDW

Virgin Galactic posted a video on Wednesday (Aug. 7) showcasing an animation of its new Delta class space plane, which is expected to enter service in 2026. from Space https://ift.tt/QVdkiK8

At the annual 'Star Trek' Las Vegas convention, the actor who plays Lt. Malloy in 'The Orville' made the announcement to a small crowd of very lucky show aficionados. from Space https://ift.tt/uyRkPYI

The Mars Express spacecraft has taken a "deep dive" into Caralis Chaos, an ancient lake on the Red Planet believed to have been larger than any body of water on Earth. from Space https://ift.tt/BJdzIp2

Using NASA’s Chandra X-ray space telescope, scientists have investigated if nearby exoplanets could support life, or if their stars are blasting them with too much deadly high-energy radiation. from Space https://ift.tt/KNJRacm

Alien: Romulus is almost here, so we're diving back into all things Alien, including the coolest spaceships the movies have had so far. These are our favorites. from Space https://ift.tt/K3OLsWA

Boeing moving toward a June 1 launch of its first-ever Starliner astronaut mission for NASA. from Space https://ift.tt/0NHBIld

As Starliner's planned 10-day mission stretches past two months, the next ISS SpaceX launch will now delay into September to give NASA the option of including the Starliner crew on its ride home. from Space https://ift.tt/aleTnQ9

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) expects the number of licensed launches each year to continue rising steeply, potentially reaching 338 by 2028. from Space https://ift.tt/u9aoXyf

If somebody complains that it hurts to think, they may be onto something, as mental exertion appears to be associated with unpleasant feelings in many situations, according to new research. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/6Go2qZt

Scientists from across academic disciplines are extremely concerned about climate change. Many of them have already changed their own lifestyles or engaged in advocacy and protest, with even more being willing to do so in future. This is evident from a large-scale survey of scientists from all over the world. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/EiguNSj

The 2024 Perseid meteor shower should reach its peak during the overnight hours of Aug. 11 into early Aug. 12, when there is almost no moon. from Space https://ift.tt/lJRjAxF

They say a penny doesn't go far these days, to which NASA has now added its two cents. Two pennies just lifted off for the International Space Station. from Space https://ift.tt/Y8mokjM

Here's how to see a dazzlingly bright Venus, an eerie view of Earthshine and the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, this week. from Space https://ift.tt/mWwG2Yr

China's mysterious space plane has been caught on camera by a satellite watcher who snagged new imagery of the high-flying robotic vehicle. from Space https://ift.tt/v2fbOBt

Cloud-to-ground lightning strikes simulated in a biosphere mimicking conditions on a young Earth led to chemical reactions resulting in "remarkable yields" of the building blocks for life. from Space https://ift.tt/ko8uBst

We evaluate how the International Space Station is protected from the impacts of tiny meteoroids and the level of risk to smaller satellites. from Space https://ift.tt/LudBEXN

Of all of the monthly meetings between the moon and Venus this year, this one is by far the closest. The only caveat is that the pair won't be very high, as the dynamic duo sets just one hour after the sun. from Space https://ift.tt/ZaIcw3h

STEM advocate and space enthusiast Emily Calandrelli will fly to suborbital space with Blue Origin. She shares her story, and her excitement, with Space.com. from Space https://ift.tt/od4M7cO

A new pathway that is used by cancer cells to infiltrate the brain has been discovered. The research also reveals a new therapy that shows promise in blocking and killing these tumors. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/ycCI6BO

Known for their role in allergic reactions, mast cells have long been recognised as key players in our immune system. When they encounter allergens, they release chemicals that trigger typical allergy symptoms such as tissue swelling and inflammation. Now, researchers have discovered a hidden talent of mast cells: they can capture and use another type of immune cell called neutrophils. This surprising discovery sheds new light on how our immune system works, particularly during allergic reactions. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/Calj06M

Exceptional fossils with preserved soft parts reveal that the earliest mollusks were flat, armored slugs without shells. The new species, Shishania aculeata, was covered with hollow, organic, cone-shaped spines. The fossils preserve exceptionally rare detailed features which reveal that these spines were produced using a sophisticated secretion system that is shared with annelids (earthworms and relatives). from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/4TCLeE7

A new study places the origin of the Imazighen in the Epipaleolithic, more than twenty thousand years ago. The research concludes that the genetic origin of the current Arab population of north Africa is far more recent than previously believed, placing it in the seventh century AD. The team has designed an innovative demographic model that uses artificial intelligence to analyze the complete genomes of the two populations. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/PS8LeRz

New research using Apollo mission samples has determined that the impact of meteorites on the lunar surface is primarily responsible for generating the moon's thin and nebulous atmosphere. from Space https://ift.tt/8JbarZ6

Researchers have developed a formula and easy-to-use assessment tool for estimating fall risks using a database of older adults. Preventing falls among older adults is expected to extend life expectancy and reduce medical and nursing care costs. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/db4m6pQ

Particle accelerators like the Large Hadron Collider have failed to turn up potential dark matter candidates, but could galaxy cluster smashes be used as cosmic dark matter colliders? from Space https://ift.tt/GhOA1ZS

NASA's Roman Space Telescope will look all the way back to cosmic dawn 400 million years after the Big Bang to discover how the universe fundamentally changed at this crucial point in its history. from Space https://ift.tt/t6TQXwn