Science

At the Supercomputing Conference or SC2024, NASA’s Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, Nicola Fox, detailed new computational tools intended to advance space science. NASA plans to employ a large language model across its science divisions, bolstered by foundation models tailored to Earth science, heliophysics, astrophysics, planetary science, and biological and physical sciences. This

A study conducted at the University of Birmingham has identified the precise shape of a single photon, reshaping how interactions between light and matter at the quantum level are understood. The study detailed in Physical Review Letters tells us how photons, or particles of light, are emitted and influenced by their surroundings, offering possibilities for

A 2,600-year-old inscription engraved on a monument in Turkey, known as Arslan Kaya or “lion rock,” has been deciphered, according to research by Professor Mark Munn of Pennsylvania State University. This ancient carving, which has endured significant damage from weathering and looting, contains references to Materan, a goddess revered by the Phrygians, an ancient civilisation

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket has successfully launched the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) GSAT-20, a sophisticated communication satellite, on November 19. The mission took place at 12:01 am from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The satellite, weighing 4,700kg, was deployed into geosynchronous transfer orbit after a 34-minute flight. This was the Elon

A breakthrough in biosensor technology could enable the real-time monitoring of stress and alertness in drivers and pilots. Developed by researchers from the National University of Singapore and Tsinghua University, the device, integrated into seatbelts, tracks heartbeat and respiration without needing direct contact with the skin. This innovation, detailed in Nature Electronics, promises to enhance

A captivating image of two interacting galaxies, known as MCG+05-31-045, has been shared by NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) through the Hubble Space Telescope. It is located 390 million light-years away in the Coma Cluster. The smaller galaxy’s spiral arms appear to merge with the larger one, with a tail of material and

A new artificial intelligence (AI) tool, Earth Copilot, has been introduced by NASA in collaboration with Microsoft to make Earth-related scientific data more accessible. Designed to summarise NASA’s extensive geospatial information, the AI-powered chatbot aims to simplify complex datasets and answer user queries with ease. By addressing questions like the environmental impact of events or

A recent cosmic census has revealed an unexpected threefold rise in active black holes within dwarf galaxies, creating the most extensive database of intermediate-mass black holes recorded to date. This survey, conducted with the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) at the Mayall Telescope in Arizona, identified over 2,500 black holes in dwarf galaxies—more than triple

A study by the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) suggests that early Homo species may have experienced extended childhoods well before significant brain enlargement, challenging longstanding evolutionary assumptions. The findings are based on the dental development of a nearly complete sub-adult Homo skull, unearthed at the Dmanisi site in Georgia and dated to 1.77 million

The much-anticipated Tamil drama Parachute, starring Krishna and Kishore, is set to stream on Disney+ Hotstar from November 29. Directed by Sridhar K, the film introduces a heartfelt narrative about childhood, familial relationships and the challenges of parenthood. Alongside the lead actors, the ensemble cast includes Kani Thiru, Kaali Venkat and child artists Shakthi Ritwik

New research on unique sandstone formations in the Colorado Rocky Mountains may confirm that Earth experienced a massive, planet-wide freeze known as “Snowball Earth.” About 700 million years ago, Earth’s surface was encased in ice, creating an extreme climate where early life not only survived but later evolved into complex multicellular organisms. For decades, the

The final supermoon of 2024, known as the Beaver Moon, will make its appearance on Friday, November 15. This full moon, which will reach its peak illumination at 4:29 PM EST, is anticipated by lunar enthusiasts as it marks the last supermoon event of the year. Visible as dawn approaches in Jakarta, this celestial event

A faint electric field has been detected in Earth’s atmosphere, confirming a theory that scientists have held for decades. This ambipolar electric field, though weak at just 0.55 volts, could play a vital role in shaping Earth’s atmospheric evolution and its ability to support life, according to recent findings. Glyn Collinson, an atmospheric scientist at

An increase in solar activity has resulted in the early re-entry of three CubeSats from Curtin University’s Binar Space Program. These small satellites, which operated at low Earth orbit, were designed to last for at least six months. However, due to intensified solar conditions, they were destroyed within two months, significantly shortening their scientific mission.

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has recently addressed speculations surrounding her health condition while on the International Space Station (ISS), discarding recent claims made by media outlets regarding her wellbeing. In response to reports that suggested she appeared “gaunt” due to an extended stay on the ISS, Williams clarified her status during a video interview on

Scientists at Penn State University have identified that microplastics present in the atmosphere could be influencing the Earth’s climate. A study published in Environmental Science and Technology: Air reveals that these tiny plastic particles may act as ice nucleating agents within clouds, impacting precipitation, weather, and possibly even aviation. Although the precise effects remain unclear,

A recent analysis of 38-year-old data from NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft has provided fresh insights into the unique magnetosphere of Uranus, according to a study published on November 11 in Nature Astronomy. During Voyager 2’s 1986 flyby, Uranus’ magnetosphere was found to be unexpectedly distorted by a blast of solar wind. The findings suggest that

The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite, a collaborative Earth-observation project between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is set to launch from India in early 2025. Designed to track movements of the Earth’s surface, the mission will focus on areas vulnerable to natural hazards, including earthquakes, landslides, and volcanoes. By capturing data

Chimpanzees have shown improved performance on challenging computer-based tasks when observed by humans, a study published in iScience on November 8 reveals. Conducted at Kyoto University, the research observed chimpanzees undertaking number-based tasks on touchscreens, monitored under different audience conditions. It was found that their performance increased with the task’s difficulty when the number of

Research from Virginia Tech has highlighted sewage surveillance as a powerful tool in addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This method, tested across numerous countries, appears more effective than individual testing, particularly in tracking resistant bacteria in communities facing limited resources. The study was published in Nature Water and it suggest that by monitoring sewage, public health