Science

New research from the Hubble Space Telescope and NASA‘s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission reveals that Mars sheds water more quickly when it is closest to the Sun. These seasonal changes are tied to the planet’s orbit, where the increased solar heating during perihelion accelerates the escape of hydrogen atoms from Mars’ atmosphere.

Recent research highlights a troubling rise in atmospheric methane, a greenhouse gas 80 times more effective than carbon dioxide (CO2) at trapping heat in the short term. Despite the 2021 Global Methane Pledge, which aims to reduce methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030, current levels are increasing faster than at any time in the

In September 2023, scientists monitoring seismic activities worldwide detected an unusual signal. This signal, distinct from the typical earthquake rumble, resonated as a continuous hum, maintaining a singular frequency. For nine consecutive days, this hum echoed across the globe, spanning from the Arctic to Antarctica, leaving researchers baffled. Initially classified as a “USO” — an

Jared Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur, and Sarah Gillis, a SpaceX engineer, have achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first non-professional astronauts to perform a spacewalk. On September 12, 2024, Isaacman and Gillis emerged from the SpaceX Dragon capsule, floating 435 miles above Earth. This commercial mission, funded by Isaacman, marks a historic first since

This week, solar activity has been particularly intense, with the sun releasing powerful solar flares, including an X1.3-class flare on Thursday, September 12. The eruption, coming from an unnumbered sunspot, took place at 5:43 AM EDT (9:43 UTC). X-class flares, the strongest of its type, can cause disruptions in radio communications, especially in sunlit areas.

NASA has once again captivated the internet by releasing stunning photos of the Red Spider Nebula, a remarkable celestial object located 3,000 light-years away in the constellation of Sagittarius. The fiery red nebula has captured the imagination of space enthusiasts and social media users alike with its vivid colours and distinctive spider-like shape. A Closer

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have identified a previously unknown Neanderthal lineage based on DNA from a fossil found in the Grotte Mandrin rock shelter in France. This lineage, belonging to an individual referred to as “Thorin,” reportedly evolved in isolation from other Neanderthal populations for nearly 50,000 years. The finding has offered a fresh

Voyager 1, the farthest human-made object from Earth, has recently undergone a critical adjustment to its thruster system as it navigates the vast expanse of interstellar space. Despite being operational for 47 years, the spacecraft required a clever fix to maintain its alignment and continue sending valuable data back to Earth. Voyager 1’s Thruster Issue

Polaris Dawn, a private space mission has set a new record for the highest orbit reached by humans since NASA‘s Apollo programme. On 10th September 2024, the four-member Polaris Dawn crew aboard SpaceX‘s Dragon spacecraft Resilience achieved an apogee of 1,400.7 kilometres. This surpasses the 1966 Gemini 11 mission’s altitude of 1,373 kilometres, marking the

China is set to establish a moon base at the lunar south pole by 2035, with the project divided into two key phases. This ambitious initiative, led by China with Russia’s support, is part of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) programme. Initially outlined in June 2021, the plan will involve constructing a basic robotic

A groundbreaking study from the National University of Singapore has revealed that it is possible to reverse the ageing process in mouse egg cells, offering new hope for fertility treatments. Researchers, led by Dr Rong Li, Director of the Mechanobiology Institute, have discovered a method to rejuvenate ageing mouse oocytes by placing them into younger

The Health Ministry has confirmed the presence of the Mpox virus, specifically the West African clade 2, in a recent patient. The case, verified on September 9, 2024, is travel-related and not part of the ongoing global public health emergency involving clade 1 of the virus. This case is an isolated incident, similar to the

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft has completed its Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission, landing safely at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, on September 7, 2024. After more than three months in space, the uncrewed capsule returned with a successful parachute-assisted landing at 12:01 a.m. EDT (0401 GMT). This marked the end of a mission initially planned

Antarctica, now a vast frozen continent, was not always covered in ice. Around 34 million years ago, during the Eocene-Oligocene boundary, the continent was ice-free. According to Eric Wolff, a paleoclimatologist from the University of Cambridge, Antarctica resembled northern Canada with tundra and coniferous forests before it froze. The shift to ice began due to

A significant discovery of ancient silver coins has been made on the Mediterranean island of Pantelleria, located between Sicily and Tunisia. Archaeologists from the University of Tübingen, Germany, unearthed 27 Roman silver coins, known as “denarii,” dating back more than 2,000 years. The coins were found hidden in a hole in the wall during excavations

The White Shark Café, located in the Pacific Ocean between Baja California and Hawaii, is a mysterious region where great white sharks gather every winter and spring. This area, once thought to be an ocean desert, has puzzled scientists for years. Great white sharks, typically found off the coast of California, make a long journey

Patients suffering from chronic pain have limited treatment options, often relying on medications like opioids that come with harmful side effects and high addiction risks. A new study in mice, published in Current Biology journal, suggests a new way to use the placebo effect for treating chronic pain. By activating specific neurons in the brain

In 2006, a fungal disease called white-nose syndrome began decimating bat populations across New England. Over the following decade, the loss of these bats, essential for controlling insect populations, led to significant consequences for agriculture and human health, according to a new study. With fewer bats around to consume insects, farmers resorted to increased use

SpaceX successfully launched a batch of next-generation spy satellites for the United States National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) late on 5th September 2024. A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 11:20 p.m. EDT, sending classified satellites into orbit. The mission, designated NROL-113, is part of the NRO’s new satellite

NASA is offering digital content creators the chance to witness the launch of the Europa Clipper spacecraft, a mission aimed at exploring Jupiter’s icy moon, Europa. This mission will help scientists determine if the moon has the potential to support life, with research suggesting an ocean beneath its frozen crust. The spacecraft, equipped with nine