A star’s violent death exposed a hidden supermassive black hole
A dormant supermassive black hole was discovered 30,000 light-years from its galaxy's center after it shredded a passing star and created a bright flare. Astronomers believe it could be a remnant of a consumed galaxy or a black hole ejected during a cosmic collision.
Cell-inspired nanoreactor turns sunlight into hydrogen peroxide
A hollow nanoreactor designed to mimic cell structures converts sunlight into hydrogen peroxide more efficiently using visible light. The device features a light-trapping cavity and a proton-shuttling shell for enhanced chemical conversion.
On a Philippine beach, villagers are stepping up to save sea turtle nests
Villagers in San Vicente, Philippines are protecting olive ridley sea turtle nests from threats including dogs, tourism, severe storms, and high tides on crucial nesting beaches in Palawan province. The NGO Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines is leading conservation efforts to help the turtles and their hatchlings survive their vulnerable beach journeys.
The AMOC stayed strong even as a major ocean “lifeline” nearly shut down
A 3.4-million-year-old sediment record shows that when warm salty water from the Indian Ocean nearly stopped flowing into the Atlantic, the AMOC circulation system unexpectedly strengthened rather than weakened. Parts of the overturning circulation intensified despite this major ocean "lifeline" nearly shutting down.
Powerhouses for fake meat: Muscle protein can now be grown in chloroplasts of lettuce and tobacco plants
Muscle protein can now be grown in chloroplasts of lettuce and tobacco plants for use in fake meat production. The global market for meat alternatives is currently worth €6.7 billion to €8.1 billion annually and is projected to grow 8.1% to 12.3% each year over the next decade.
THC medication made PTSD nightmares disappear for more than a third of patients
A prescription THC medication eliminated recurring nightmares in more than one-third of PTSD patients after ten weeks of treatment. The finding suggests a potential therapeutic approach for trauma-related nightmares, which are among the condition's most persistent symptoms.
Claude Fable 5 AI finds a tiny formula that topples an 87-year-old math conjecture
Claude Fable 5 discovered a simple counterexample disproving the Jacobian conjecture in three dimensions and higher, solving a problem unsolved for over 87 years. The two-dimensional version of the conjecture remains unresolved despite the counterexample's findings.
567-million-year-old fossils rewrite the dawn of animal life
Fossils from a Canadian site dated to 567 million years old show early animals with abilities to move, reproduce sexually, and possess distinct body plans. The discovery shifts major evolutionary developments back by 10 million years and indicates complex animal life may have originated in deep ocean environments.
Miniaturized laser technology paves the way for fundamental physics experiments in space
An international research team produced atomic quantum gas mixtures with record particle flux using the MAIUS-B apparatus, generating Bose-Einstein condensates from rubidium and potassium under microgravity conditions. The experiments were conducted in the Einstein Elevator at Leibniz University Hannover in Germany.
One of the world's only two complete dodo skulls reveals new clues about the extinct bird
A complete dodo skull housed in Copenhagen's Natural History Museum has been analyzed in a study led by Canadian researchers to understand the extinct bird's sensory perception. The skull, one of only two known complete specimens worldwide, revealed new information about how the dodo experienced its environment through its sensory systems.
Air-stable, ultrathin superconductors developed for more scalable quantum devices
Scientists developed air-stable superconductors measuring just one to a few atoms thick that resist rapid degradation. These ultrathin materials enable more compact and scalable quantum devices compared to conventional superconductors.
Long-term study suggests landfill methane emissions are far higher than estimates
Landfill methane emissions measured continuously at a New Jersey site were found to be significantly higher than current estimates, according to a Columbia University study. Researchers used ground-based measurements to determine that U.S. and global methane pollution calculations from landfills may be substantially underestimated.
Experimental drug turns cancer's favorite fuel against it
An experimental drug blocks cancer cells' ability to metabolize sugar, their primary fuel source for rapid growth. The approach attempts to starve cancer cells by preventing them from accessing glucose, their preferred energy source.
Laser scanning may help prevent urban trees from falling
Researchers used LiDAR technology to create 3D digital models of urban trees by generating point clouds with millions of coordinates. This laser-scanning approach maps tree architecture precisely to assess health and guide pruning decisions that reduce falling risk.
NASA’s IXPE May Have Proven 90-Year-Old Theory
NASA's IXPE conducted over 140 hours of observations of a magnetar and detected X-ray polarization patterns matching predictions from nearly a century-old physics theory. The results, published in Nature, represent the first direct measurement of empty space exhibiting the theoretically predicted behavior.
IEEE Course Teaches How to Use AI to Modernize Power Grids
Millions of digital sensors and smart meters generate continuous data streams that human operators cannot process fast enough, requiring automated computer analysis. Texas's largest power transmission utility reported 220 gigawatts of new connection requests, driven largely by data center energy demands.
Artemis III Orion Crew and Service Models Joined
The Orion crew and service modules were joined together on July 30, 2026, at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew module will carry four astronauts: three NASA astronauts and one ESA astronaut named Luca Parmitano.
NASA’s Perseverance Captures Phobos and Earth
NASA's Perseverance rover captured images of Earth passing behind the Martian moon Phobos on July 2, 2026, using its Mastcam-Z instrument on the mission's 1,907th sol. The composite of seven images shows Earth as a small bright dot moving behind Phobos against a black background.
NASA’s Perseverance Rover Watches Earth Vanish Behind Martian Moon
NASA's Perseverance rover captured images of Earth disappearing behind the Martian moon Phobos, marking the first time this phenomenon was photographed from Mars's surface. Earth appears as a point of light in the Martian sky as it passes behind Phobos, the larger of Mars's two moons.
Advanced Mini-laboratories Automate Space Station Research
Redwire's ADvanced Space Experiment Processors automatically conduct science experiments on the International Space Station to reduce crew time requirements. Each ADSEP facility contains multiple automated devices designed to handle experiments that would otherwise consume hours of astronaut work.
Sitting up straight may improve your mood and decision-making
Sitting upright caused participants to report more pride and take more successful risks in a virtual balloon game compared to hunching over. Most participants did not realize their posture had been manipulated, suggesting the effect was not based on their expectations about how posture should affect them.
The Download: NASA’s new telescope and Chinese tech import curbs
NASA will launch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope in late August, which can detect dark energy and identify potentially dangerous asteroids. The telescope combines capabilities for studying cosmic expansion with planetary defense monitoring.
Scientists discover the brain cells that keep you motivated
Orexin neurons help maintain motivation when rewards become harder to obtain. Blocking these brain cells in rats reduced their motivation to continue working toward goals.
80-million-year-old snake brain reveals a surprising evolutionary secret
An 80-million-year-old Brazilian snake fossil shows that early snakes occupied diverse habitats including burrowing, above-ground, and marine environments. Brain reconstructions of Tametara mirim revealed adaptations for burrowing while other contemporary fossils displayed sensory systems suited to different ecological niches.
YouTube star Simone Giertz has some life and science lessons to share with you
Simone Giertz, a Swedish engineer influencer, has accumulated over 2.5 million YouTube followers during more than a decade on the platform. Her content focuses on pursuing a non-traditional path within science and engineering.
A colossal magma system has been hiding beneath Tuscany
A magma reservoir covering approximately 6,000 cubic kilometers has been detected beneath Tuscany using seismic sensors that recorded natural ground vibrations. The discovery demonstrates that massive volcanic systems can exist without surface indicators and may help locate geothermal energy sources and critical minerals.
NASA’s new dark-energy space telescope can also detect killer asteroids
NASA will launch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope in August to study dark matter and dark energy in the universe. The telescope can additionally detect potentially hazardous asteroids during its observations from Kennedy Space Center.
Europe’s wildfires became so intense they created their own storm
Historic wildfires in Spain and France burned massive areas, with one Spanish fire consuming an area roughly the size of New York City. A French blaze generated a rare towering fire cloud, fueled by lush winter growth, severe heat, drought, and strong winds.
Metal-free process makes plant dyes more durable for textiles
A metal-free dye-fixing process makes natural plant dyes more durable on textiles without requiring metal additives. The method is described in the International Journal of Materials and Product Technology as a way to address durability challenges that have limited wider adoption of plant dyes in sustainable clothing production.
Social influence can help tackle climate change
Social influence from various groups including celebrities, athletes, healthcare workers, religious leaders, and everyday contacts like family and neighbors can accelerate climate action, according to a study by the Center for Climate Change and Social Transformations. The research identified multiple influence sources spanning from public figures to hairdressers and small business owners as capable of shifting climate-related attitudes and behaviors.