Science

Scientists have developed a patch capable of tackling bacteria on the skin using mild electric pulses, which could help reduce infections if the bacteria were to enter the bloodstream. Known as the Bioelectronic Localized Antimicrobial Stimulation Therapy (BLAST) patch, this device emits a harmless electrical current designed to target specific skin bacteria that pose infection

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has unveiled the first images from its groundbreaking space-based telescope, the Compact Coronagraph (CCOR-1), which has captured a vivid solar storm. Positioned on NOAA’s latest satellite, GOES-19, this new tool is the first operational coronagraph in space designed to actively monitor the sun’s outer atmosphere, the corona. Revolutionising

Scientists at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center have gotten the evidence that traumatic brain injuries (TBI) could heighten the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. This study had involved both animal models and human brain tissue. It sheds light on how TBIs may trigger harmful protein build-ups in the brain, leading to cognitive issues

Boeing’s Intelsat 33e, a large communications satellite, unexpectedly broke apart in orbit over the weekend, creating at least 20 pieces of space debris. The satellite, which provided broadband communication services to regions across Europe, Africa, and Asia, was operating from a geostationary orbit above the Indian Ocean before it stopped functioning on 19 October 2024.

Astronomers have uncovered something surprising while looking 13 billion years into the past using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). They’ve spotted supermassive black hole-powered quasars that appear to be hanging out in isolation. This is odd because, according to current theories, black holes need to be surrounded by a lot of material to grow

A discovery from Australia’s Nilpena Ediacara National Park has revealed the oldest known asymmetrical animal, Quaestio simpsonorum. This creature, which lived around 555 million years ago, resembles a small marine vacuum cleaner, gliding across the ocean floor and feasting on tiny algae and bacteria. What sets Quaestio apart is a backward question-mark-shaped protrusion on its

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has made a remarkable discovery. The telescope has found a galaxy from the early universe that appears to have grown from the outside in. This galaxy, known as JADES-GS+53.18343−27.79097, was formed just 700 million years after the Big Bang. It’s significantly smaller than our Milky Way but demonstrates an

The Greater Short-Horned Lizard, scientifically known as Phrynosoma hernandesi, is a remarkable reptile found across North and Central America. This unique lizard has earned the nickname “horny toad” due to its flattened body shape and distinctive spiky horns, which give it an appearance more akin to amphibians than traditional reptiles. Typically measuring around 6 inches

Recent research has led to a new understanding of our galaxy’s position within the universe. A fresh study suggests that the Milky Way may reside in a much larger “basin of attraction” than previously assumed. This discovery challenges what we know about our galactic surroundings, revealing that the supercluster which houses the Milky Way could

A new humanoid robot from China has set a record by running at a top speed of just over 8 miles per hour (3.6 metres per second). This makes it the fastest bipedal robot to date, although this feat was only achieved with the help of a pair of specially added trainers. Known as STAR1,

Injecting diamond dust into the atmosphere could potentially cool the planet by 1.6ºC, according to a recent study published in Geophysical Research Letters. Led by Sandro Vattioni, a climate scientist at ETH Zürich, the research explores whether diamonds, as opposed to commonly used materials like sulfur, could offer a safer and more effective method for

A recent breakthrough by researchers at the German Primate Center, led by Andres Agudelo-Toro, a scientist in the Neurobiology Laboratory, has significantly advanced the field of brain-computer interfaces. The study, conducted with rhesus monkeys, has resulted in a training protocol that enables precise control of prosthetic hands purely through brain signals. This novel approach focuses

Scientists have introduced a new method to search for interplanetary radio signals between planets in distant star systems, particularly when one planet moves in front of another from Earth‘s perspective—known as planet-planet occultations (PPOs). A team from Penn State, along with researchers from the SETI Institute, applied this technique to the TRAPPIST-1 system, located about

NASA and NOAA have confirmed that the Sun has entered its solar maximum phase, the most active part of its 11-year cycle. During this period, the Sun becomes more volatile, and an increase in solar storms and activity can have various effects on Earth and space. Solar maximum marks a peak in sunspot numbers, leading

Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is renowned for its rock-cut architecture, with the Treasury, or Al-Khazneh, being one of its most iconic structures. This newly discovered tomb adds another layer to the city’s already rich historical narrative. Archaeologists discovered several artefacts inside the tomb, including pottery, jewellery, and a ceramic chalice. These items helped

On October 13, 2024, SpaceX launched its Starship vehicle from South Texas. This mission is particularly notable for successfully capturing its Super Heavy booster at the launch site, marking a significant achievement in aerospace technology. The successful launch and recovery illustrate SpaceX’s commitment to advancing reusable rocket technology, which is vital for reducing costs and

Recent research indicates that individuals with type A blood may have a higher likelihood of experiencing a stroke before the age of 60 compared to those with different blood types. Blood types are determined by specific chemicals found on the surfaces of red blood cells, with the main types being A, B, AB, and O.

In recent years, injectable medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have emerged as powerful tools for weight loss and managing blood sugar levels. These drugs, which act as GLP-1 receptor agonists, have garnered significant attention, leading to soaring sales and becoming billion-dollar products. However, their high costs, typically ranging from £800 to £1,000 per month,

Blue Origin‘s latest attempt to launch its second human-rated New Shepard rocket, designated NS-27, has been delayed due to a GPS malfunction. Originally scheduled for liftoff on October 13th at 9:27 AM EDT (6:57 PM GMT), the mission was intended to send a newly developed rocket-capsule combination into suborbital space. This setback follows a previous cancellation

NASA Europa Clipper mission, aiming to explore the icy moon Europa, one of Jupiter’s most intriguing satellites. Scientists believe that underneath this icy surface lies a vast ocean, which could provide the necessary conditions for life as we know it. The Europa Clipper spacecraft will undertake 49 flybys of Europa, using advanced instruments to study its