technical updates

The power of Grayskull, Superman's cousin, and the return of a certain galaxy far, far away are among 2026's big-screen wonders. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/RME7PGT

A strange little snake fossil found on England’s south coast has finally revealed its secrets—more than 40 years after it was discovered. The newly named Paradoxophidion richardoweni lived around 37 million years ago, during a time when Britain was warmer and teeming with reptiles. Though known only from tiny backbone bones, this “paradox snake” carries a surprising mix of traits seen in modern snakes, placing it near the very roots of today’s most diverse snake group. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/72NronA

An impressive display piece for Lego-loving space fans who want to commemorate the legacy of this iconic post-Space Race vessel. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/VB2SEf0

Cannabis products with higher THC levels may slightly reduce chronic pain, particularly nerve pain, according to a review of multiple clinical trials. The improvement was small and short-lived, while side effects were more common. Products with little or no THC, including CBD-only formulations, showed no clear benefit. Researchers say more long-term studies are needed. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/jG7cnZ1

"Some will not change behavior until something bad happens." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/4oCTbKl

Environmental change doesn’t affect evolution in a single, predictable way. In large-scale computer simulations, scientists discovered that some fluctuating conditions help populations evolve higher fitness, while others slow or even derail progress. Two populations facing different kinds of change can end up on completely different evolutionary paths. The findings challenge the idea that one population’s response can represent a whole species. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/vSlpRun

The new Govee Star Light Projector 2 Pro provides a dreamy bedroom celestial display that's brighter and clearer than ever before. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/V9EvNeA

MIT researchers have designed a printable aluminum alloy that’s five times stronger than cast aluminum and holds up at extreme temperatures. Machine learning helped them zero in on the ideal recipe in a fraction of the time traditional methods would take. When 3D printed, the alloy forms a tightly packed internal structure that gives it exceptional strength. The material could eventually replace heavier, costlier metals in jet engines, cars, and data centers. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/DnSzdtQ

ADHD stimulants appear to work less by sharpening focus and more by waking up the brain. Brain scans revealed that these medications activate reward and alertness systems, helping children stay interested in tasks they would normally avoid. The drugs even reversed brain patterns linked to sleep deprivation. Researchers say this could complicate ADHD diagnoses if poor sleep is the real underlying problem. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/eCUIOJr

Looking to watch some of the best Sci-Fi movies and shows ever without having to rely on streaming? Don't skip these out-of-this-world Blu-ray editions. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/Kwspg4a

A major new review has put hundreds of alternative autism treatments under the microscope—and most didn’t hold up. Scientists analyzed decades of research and found little reliable evidence that popular approaches like probiotics, acupuncture, or music therapy truly work. Alarmingly, safety was often ignored, with many treatments never properly evaluated for side effects. The researchers stress that looking at the full body of evidence matters far more than trusting a single hopeful study. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/DBTVk4q

Boldly going where no Lego set has gone before, the first-ever Star Trek Lego set you can buy and it is awesome! from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/RflWAt5

New observations reveal that the relationship between ultraviolet and X-ray light in quasars has changed over billions of years. This unexpected shift suggests the structure around supermassive black holes may evolve with time, challenging a decades-old assumption. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/QpASIlk

Searches for dark matter particles have come up empty so far, driving theorists to get more creative with their ideas. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/bSNGkRy

While space is often referred to as a vacuum, it isn't completely empty. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/02VBiUG

Which is the best streaming device out there? We've pitted four of the best models on the market against each other to determine the top option. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/R94hyZL

Astronomers have decoded the hidden past of a distant red giant star by listening to tiny vibrations in its light, revealing clues of a dramatic cosmic history. The star, which quietly orbits a dormant black hole, appears to be spinning far faster than it should—and its internal “starquakes” suggest it may have once collided and merged with another star. Even more puzzling, its chemical makeup makes it look ancient, while its internal structure reveals it’s relatively young. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/837jwPN

A new study suggests temporal lobe epilepsy may be linked to early aging of certain brain cells. When researchers removed these aging cells in mice, seizures dropped, memory improved, and some animals avoided epilepsy altogether. The treatment used drugs already known to science, raising the possibility of quicker translation to people. The results offer new hope for patients who do not respond to existing medications. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/zWMXixb

A major evolutionary theory says most genetic changes don’t really matter, but new evidence suggests that’s not true. Researchers found that helpful mutations happen surprisingly often. The twist is that changing environments prevent these mutations from spreading widely before they become useless or harmful. Evolution, it turns out, is less about reaching perfection and more about endlessly chasing a moving target. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/yMZTm0j

The axion could be a contender to explain the mystery of dark matter. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/6d8OLNh

The two largest and most expensive Lego Star Wars sets available go head-to-head: The UCS Millennium Falcon and the UCS Death Star. But which is best? from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/oa4I1jv

The microwave-sized sensor detects 'spectral fingerprints' of important minerals. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/qu5XvfP

Outside Earth's protection, space travellers will be routinely exposed. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/5mRp2vI

Early risers across North America and Europe may spot a bright, silent light gliding across the Christmas sky — and it just happens to coincide with an ISS flyby. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/r8sY21P

3I/ATLAS may have moved away from Earth as it makes its way out of the solar system, but this interstellar intruder continues to delight and surprise astronomers. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/n5jLyrE

NORAD celebrates its 70th year of tracking Santa Claus as he flies around the world delivering joy this Christmas Eve. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/dHfa6mO

Rocket Lab launched its 21st and final mission of the year over the weekend, sending a private Japanese Earth-observing satellite to orbit. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/kB1XJmN

Qingzhou is a lighter and potentially lower-cost alternative to China's Tianzhou freighter. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/E2ZzUH7

Scientists have uncovered a missing feedback in Earth’s carbon cycle that could cause global warming to overshoot into an ice age. As the planet warms, nutrient-rich runoff fuels plankton blooms that bury huge amounts of carbon in the ocean. In low-oxygen conditions, this process can spiral out of control, cooling Earth far beyond its original state. While this won’t save us from modern climate change, it may explain Earth’s most extreme ancient ice ages. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/wQfIdth

Enjoy some out-of-this-world fun this Christmas with my selection of the best space board games available right now. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/RnVx0lr

Researchers have found that fossilized dinosaur eggshells contain a natural clock that can reveal when dinosaurs lived. The technique delivers surprisingly precise ages and could revolutionize how fossil sites around the world are dated. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/u194Y2i

Today marks the shortest day and longest night of the year as the sun reaches its lowest point in the Northern Hemisphere sky. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/rJ4hLP2

Black Friday offers massive discounts on a host of products, but you don't have to wait until the next one to save big. From Boxing Day to Prime Day 2026, we investigate which is the next best sales event. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/53KYU27

You don't have to search the upside down to find the best Stranger Things gifts outside of Hawkins, so celebrate season five's release with these top gifts. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/4taKV1f

"We do not know with certainty that we found a superkilonova, but the event nevertheless is eye-opening." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/vaJ2npO

Odin Space and Arkisys are teaming up to provide customers with pioneering insurance for spacecraft specifically to cover space debris collision events. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/9YtvkAd

Ubisoft's ambitious open-world game remains the best way to immerse yourself in Pandora's lush locales, exotic creatures, and fierce battles. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/5SNCU9T

They're not part of a vast, Marvel-style universe, and neither is a classic. So why are the "Avatar" movies so successful? from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/n3f0bQc

One of SpaceX's Starlink broadband satellites suffered an anomaly in orbit on Wednesday (Dec. 17) that led to its partial breakup, according to the company. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/fxLIHPi

"It's like looking back in time in a sense, to that violent period of our solar system when it was less than a billion years old." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/CmeL2OT

Interstellar visitor 3I/ATLAS is travelling away from the sun on its way back to interstellar space. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/DXlz42U

Aerospace engineer Michi Benthaus will become the first wheelchair user ever to reach space on Thursday (Dec. 18), and you can watch her historic launch atop a Blue Origin rocket live. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/FHfpP8O

Rocket Lab is scheduled to launch four "DiskSats" for the U.S. Space Force at midnight on Thursday (Dec. 18), and you can watch the action live. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/kWYGcEK

The HiRISE camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter just notched a big milestone, snapping its 100,000th photo of the Red Planet. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/PN2QpoW

NASA's Parker Solar Probe captured solar material looping back to the sun, revealing how it recycles magnetic energy and shapes future solar storms. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/X7se58a

Emily Blunt and Josh O'Connor star in Universal Pictures' eerie alien invasion project coming next summer. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/bD35rGS

NASA still hasn't heard from its MAVEN Mars orbiter, and the spacecraft appears to be spinning in an odd way as well. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/S75K0eQ

Europe's Ariane 6 rocket is poised to launch a pair of Galileo satellites just after midnight on Wednesday (Dec. 17), adding to the continent's geopositioning constellation. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/1gPJ3ar

Using high-resolution observations from the GHGSat satellite constellation, researchers have produced the first global, facility-level estimate of methane emissions from the energy sector. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/JKekfch

The U.S. Space Force unveiled the new naming scheme that it will use for its spacecraft and space-based weaponry, drawing inspiration from mythology and the natural world. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/qyfWUgs

With the Fallout TV show venturing back out into the Wasteland, what better time to rank every Fallout game from worst to best? from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/Tzgi7tE

The interstellar comet will pass safely by Earth, giving astronomers their best chance to study it up close. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/CwGbrzy

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 29 Starlink satellites lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/CK57NTo

Scientists are uncovering a new possibility behind long COVID’s stubborn symptoms: hidden infections that awaken or emerge alongside SARS-CoV-2. Evidence is mounting that viruses like Epstein-Barr and even latent tuberculosis may flare up when COVID disrupts the immune system, creating lingering fatigue, brain fog, and other debilitating issues. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/tsWljLk

Webb’s latest observations reveal a hellish world cloaked in an unexpected atmosphere: TOI-561 b, an ultra-hot rocky planet racing around its star in under 11 hours. Despite being blasted by intense radiation that should strip it bare, the planet appears to host a thick layer of gases above a global magma ocean, making it far less dense than expected. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/ifpqDBs

Assuming Google does manage to launch a prototype in 2027, will it simply be a high-stakes technical experiment – or the dawning of a new era? from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/QiLdWMg

'No matter what your traditions are, someone is going to break them.' from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/OgxQrZu

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 27 Starlink satellites lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. The first stage then made the company's 550th landing. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/Wdzc4CH

This Disney Plus bundle is 45% off and Marvel's Fantastic Four: First Steps is now streaming, as well as the Predator movies with Badlands now in theaters. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/CdUetiO

Kara Zor-El goes galactic for this wild teaser set to Blondie's '80s anthem, 'Call Me'. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/cp4JnkT

A strange, spider-like scar on Jupiter's icy moon Europa may mark where salty water once surged up through its fractured crust. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/lmaRhdO

A novel "X-arithmetic" technique reveals how black holes shape the universe's largest structures. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/FHgUl75

The nova eruptions come about when a white dwarf steals too much matter from a close red giant companion. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/12AcbNR

SpaceX plans to go public in 2026 and will seek a valuation of $1.5 trillion, according to media reports. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/cJrn6j1

"With ALMA, we can now see the atmosphere of a dying star with a level of clarity in a similar way to what we do for the sun." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/SsQofTD

Rocket Lab has signed a contract to launch its new Neutron rocket on a test flight that will advance the U.S. Air Force's point-to-point cargo transportation concept. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/iTgN1rR

Embark Studios' extraction shooter takes cues from sci-fi classics to establish a dark future, but its cautionary tale is more believable than most. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/C0ZdcUv

Rocket Lab will launch a Korean disaster-monitoring satellite today (Dec. 10), and you can watch the action live. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/SpHCsV4

Something happened to the probe on the far side of the Red Planet. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/DonzNga

The supernova exploded over 13 billion years ago in a galaxy far, far away. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/Qe74kzy

"This is certainly an outburst unlike any other we've seen in the past 50 years." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/9Xbjtq2

Two Chinese astronauts installed more debris shielding on the Tiangong space station and assessed the damage to the attached Shenzhou 20 spacecraft during a spacewalk on Tuesday (Dec. 9). from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/Dr57sSE

Your guide to January’s full Wolf Moon, from peak times to skywatching highlights. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/X2CZy5U

Ahead of Terminator 2D: NO FATE, we're going back in time to find some Terminator games that don't suck. Don't worry, we'll be back! from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/euFDywk

"It’s kind of a jigsaw puzzle where all the different pieces are moving." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/GOgYtou

Frequent flares from the nearby star TRAPPIST-1 could offer new clues in the search for habitable planets beyond Earth. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/rcxjGfB

The U.S. Senate will hold its second hearing to consider billionaire tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman's nomination for NASA chief on Wednesday (Dec. 3), and you can watch the action live. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/Fr0nCT2

Researchers successfully implanted a genetically modified pig liver into a human, proving that such an organ can function for an extended period. The graft supported essential liver processes before complications required its removal. Although the patient ultimately passed away, the experiment demonstrates both the potential and the complexity of xenotransplantation. Experts believe this could reshape the future of organ replacement. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/w2vMTRS

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 29 Starlink satellites lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/oRfq1EQ

Most astronauts who menstruate pause their cycle with hormones before hitting the stars, but in the future, we'll need more options. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/MTDyjHn

The Geminids return with near-perfect viewing conditions, offering skywatchers up to 150 meteors an hour under dark December skies. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/g9cpkM6

Researchers have identified hydrogen sulfide as a surprisingly effective tool for treating difficult nail infections. It penetrates nails more efficiently than current drugs and kills pathogens by disrupting their energy systems. The compound also works against fungi that resist standard antifungal treatments. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/JomOeHS

Our friends at PC Gamer hosted a fantastic show looking at the future of video games, and these are our favorite space and sci-fi picks from it. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/o9UOn4r

NASA imaged Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) every four minutes for nearly 40 days, marking the longest any comet has been tracked with such frequency. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/62yrEn1

The Very Large Telescope's SPHERE instrument captured unprecedented images of 51 dusty rings shaping young planetary systems. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/34TnxH8

Ahead of 'The War Between the Land of the Sea', we look back at a drama that rewrote the rules of the Whoniverse. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/k0fKudx

The discovery potentially transforms what we think about how the cosmic environment influences galaxies as they form. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/V3Spt9c

As he did eight months ago, Sen. Ed Markey asked Jared Isaacman if Elon Musk was in the room when President Trump first offered him the job of NASA chief. And, once again, Isaacman demurred. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/JsaDF6l

Levels of potentially dangerous cosmic radiation in Earth's atmosphere rose to a two-decade high in November after a rare solar super-flare pummeled the planet with high-speed particles from the sun. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/Z7Cq5NA

If you've never sighted this rocky little world for yourself, you'll never get a better opportunity than right now to see it. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/byaWV7t

The final full moon of 2025 rises on Dec. 5. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/8b2iVq6

Blue Origin's next space tourist launch will make history, sending a wheelchair user to the final frontier for the first time. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/b2jZfVS

‘I wanted to elevate it. I didn’t want to do it like the original 'Battlestar Galactica' or 'Babylon 5.'' from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/mIc3Ssy

A cosmic ray from a faraway supernova explosion may have sent a packed passenger jet into free fall in late October, forcing an emergency landing. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/vfIaAl2

It's not too late to get a great Cyber Monday drone deal, as the DJI Mavic 4 Pro is still $500, but there aren't many left, so you'll have to be quick. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/KzBocXx

The European Space Agency member states have approved a record-breaking budget for the next three years, including increased funding for science exploration. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/SrDEuW7

Cyber Monday may be behind us, but there are still a few deals to be had. We've rounded up the remaining bargains, so snap these up before they're gone! from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/IKHwzjY

A German astronaut will be the first European to fly to the moon with a future NASA-led Artemis mission. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/SC3dx0E

Tribute Games' take on Marvel comics focuses on the universe's more overlooked cosmic elements and packs a delightfully off-beat roster of heroes. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/Mbmo2E1

Hunting for bargains online? Don't let yourself become the prey. Stay safe with NordVPN, up to 77% off for Cyber Monday, and block ads and stream away from home into the bargain. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/E8xQ4CJ

A Vega C rocket is scheduled to launch South Korea's powerful KOMPSAT-7 Earth-observation satellite today (Dec. 1), and you can watch the action live. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/z5qboK1