Scientists turn one of the hardest plastics to recycle into high-performance engine lubricant
Researchers developed a method to convert PVC plastic into a key ingredient for high-performance lubricants like engine oil. The technique transforms difficult-to-recycle plastic waste into a material used in sustainable lubricant production.
The universe is still speeding up, but nobody knows why
A comprehensive analysis confirmed that the universe continues accelerating in its expansion, contradicting recent claims that this acceleration was slowing. The study strengthens evidence for dark energy's existence while maintaining the fundamental mystery of what dark energy actually comprises.
Australia’s red soil may be hiding a massive clean energy source
Iron-rich rocks in Western Australia's Pilbara region naturally generate hydrogen through geological processes, and researchers believe this production can be significantly increased. The discovery could make these vast underground rock formations a substantial source of low-emission energy if the process becomes scalable.
The discovery of the Great Barrier Reef's whale maternity ward
Scientists identified the Whitsundays region as a critical breeding and calving area for humpback whales, leading to enhanced marine protections over 17 years. The area now provides some of the world's best safeguards for migrating humpback whales during their maternity period.
NASA’s Artemis II Crew Receives Congressional Space Medal of Honor
The Artemis II crew of four astronauts received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor from President Trump on August 28, 2026, for their mission service. The honored crew members are NASA astronauts Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Reid Wiseman, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
Dog-friendly dining isn't just a trend, it's good for business, new research shows
Restaurants offering dedicated dog menu items increase customer traffic and spending compared to those only allowing dogs on patios. The research from Toronto Metropolitan University found that dog-friendly dining strategies generate more word-of-mouth marketing among customers.
Experimental eye drops help blind mice see again
Light-activated drugs delivered as eye drops restored light perception in blind mice and enabled visually guided behavior without requiring gene therapy or implants. Two of the most promising compounds proved effective when applied directly as eye drops rather than through invasive procedures.
NASA’s Roman telescope will see 100 times more sky than Hubble
The Roman Space Telescope will observe a field of view 100 times larger than Hubble while maintaining similar detail. This capability will enable astronomers to detect hidden planets, catalog billions of cosmic objects, and study dark matter and dark energy.
The Download: a secretive antiaging drug and joining virtual power plants
A startup called Generation Lab claims to have discovered a drug that can make blood younger. The company offered this antiaging treatment to a technology journalist as part of what appears to be a secretive development initiative.
Researchers followed 400,000 kids for 20 years and found a lasting pre-K advantage
A 20-year study tracking 400,000 students found that children who attended public school pre-K earned better grades and test scores through high school compared to those in other childcare settings. Better-trained teachers and earlier exposure to structured classrooms were identified as potential factors contributing to this lasting educational advantage.
How to sign up for a virtual power plant—and decide whether you should
Households can now enroll their thermostats, electric vehicles, and home batteries into virtual power plants that allow utility companies to manage these devices collectively. Virtual power plants coordinate multiple household energy systems to balance electricity demand, functioning as distributed power generation across potentially thousands of participating homes.
A startup claims it’s found a drug to make your blood young
Generation Lab developed an injectable treatment combining two existing drugs called 1 Generation. The company claims the combination can rejuvenate blood, though specific clinical data supporting the claims was not provided in the available information.
NASA Invites Media to Turkey Artemis Accords Signing Ceremony
Turkey will sign the Artemis Accords on August 31 at NASA Headquarters, becoming the 71st country signatory to the agreement. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman will host Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır at the 2:30 p.m. EDT ceremony.
AI searched 100 million possibilities and found a cheaper way to 3D-print a NASA rocket alloy
AI searched over 100 million possible 3D-printing settings and identified successful configurations for a NASA rocket alloy after only 40 experiments. One configuration achieved printing at a record-low 500 watts, potentially enabling GRCop-42 to be produced with more widely available equipment.
“I jumped from my chair” – Astronomers spot Betelgeuse’s hidden companion
Astronomers obtained the clearest image of a previously hidden companion star orbiting Betelgeuse, ending approximately a century-long search. The massive companion star may explain Betelgeuse's brightness variations and could affect when the star eventually becomes a supernova.
A mysterious cosmic hum may come from 13-billion-year-old dark stars
A gravitational-wave background detected today might originate from dark stars that existed 13 billion years ago. These hypothetical dark star descendants could account for a significant portion of the signal and help explain how the universe's first supermassive black holes formed.
Smart nanoparticles light up brain cancer and destroy what surgery misses
Smart nanoparticles were developed to both illuminate hidden glioblastoma cells during surgery and destroy remaining microscopic cancer afterward. In mice, the treatment achieved 100% survival at 60 days and prevented recurrence, though human testing has not occurred.
We finally have some encouraging news on Great Barrier Reef water quality
Brown sediment plumes from Queensland rivers are settling on seagrass and inshore corals, potentially smothering them. River water carries nitrogen from fertilizer that fuels algal growth and damages coral health in the Great Barrier Reef.
Roman Space Telescope Travels to SpaceX Hangar
The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope was transported to SpaceX's hangar at Kennedy Space Center on August 25, 2026, for mating with a Falcon Heavy rocket. The telescope's science instruments are designed to help researchers understand dark matter and other cosmic phenomena.
NASA Johnson Pilots Chase Moon’s Shadow for Eclipse Science
NASA Johnson pilots flew a WB-57F high-altitude research aircraft from Houston to Iceland on August 12 to position scientists in the path of a total solar eclipse over Europe. The mission aimed to collect data on why the Sun's corona is hotter than its visible surface, requiring precise positioning during the eclipse.
NASA Sets Spacewalk for Station Maintenance, Live Coverage Planned
Two astronauts will conduct a spacewalk outside the International Space Station on Tuesday, September 1st to replace a navigational aid and perform maintenance tasks. Live coverage will begin at 7 a.m. EDT, with the spacewalk starting at approximately 8:30 a.m.
Scientists may have found a shortcut to calorie restriction’s anti-aging benefits
Scientists discovered that moderate calorie restriction lowers C3, an immune protein that drives chronic inflammation during aging. Blocking C3 in mice reduced age-related inflammation, suggesting treatments could replicate calorie restriction benefits without dieting.
Scientists discover 149 new deep-sea species at remote Indian Ocean seamounts
Scientists identified 149 new deep-sea species during an expedition across remote Indian Ocean seamounts. The Indian Ocean covers about one-fifth of global ocean area, with 90% exceeding depths of 1,000 meters.
NASA’s Roman Space Telescope is ready to hunt thousands of alien worlds
NASA's Roman Space Telescope has been enclosed in its Falcon Heavy fairing and is nearly ready for launch. The telescope will search for thousands of exoplanets while investigating dark matter, dark energy, and the universe's accelerating expansion.
Reusable stencils create clean carbon nanotube patterns in single-stage process
Researchers developed reusable stencils that deposit carbon nanotube patterns in a single stage without material waste. The method creates geometric patterns used in optical devices and mechanical strain sensors for structural monitoring.
From nuisance to new resource: Prickly pear could support fuels, foods and rural growers
Researchers at Texas A&M are studying prickly pear cactus for production of biofuels and functional food ingredients. Led by molecular researcher Susanne Talcott, the multidisciplinary team aims to transform the plant from a regional nuisance into an economically viable resource for rural growers.
Strong oyster reefs start with genetic diversity
European flat oysters have become so scarce in the North Sea that they no longer form functioning reefs, eliminating three-dimensional structures that housed over 100 marine species. Oyster reef restoration efforts now aim to recover both the oyster population and the biodiversity that depended on these reef structures.
A near extinct plant in Galápagos is now recovering
The Galápagos snapdragon population has increased from six individuals in 2007 to 28 healthy adults through 30 years of conservation work. Ninety-four nursery-propagated plants were reintroduced across two locations, resulting in 20 adults at Playa Tortuga Negra and 8 at Tagus Cove.
New Next-Gen Dish Adds Muscle to NASA’s Deep Space Network
A 34-meter-wide radio frequency antenna has been added to NASA's Deep Space Network facility in California. The network now uses giant dish antennas at three global locations to support more than 40 spacecraft exploring the solar system and interstellar space.
Seeing through murky waters
A new imaging system uses sonar to see through sediment clouds that block camera visibility when remotely operated vehicles work on the seafloor. The system was developed by Amy Phung and her advisor.