Astronaut Sunita Williams is undergoing training for her third mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). She is set to become the pilot of the Crew Flight Test mission, which will be the first crewed flight for Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. The mission will involve a week-long stay on the ISS and will test the capabilities of the Starliner system, including launch, docking, and return to Earth.
A new study suggests that deep-sea corals that lived 540 million years ago may have been the first animals to glow, far earlier than previously thought. This discovery pushes the origin of bioluminescence back by around 270 million years and places it around the time of the Cambrian explosion, when life on Earth evolved and diversified rapidly.
A fringe theory of panspermia suggests that alien life may be hitching rides on meteors, potentially colonizing new planets. This hypothesis provides a framework for scientists to narrow their search for extra-terrestrial existence. Researchers propose that if life spreads via meteors, it could alter atmospheric conditions, providing clues to its presence. However, identifying these life forms remains challenging, as scientists are unsure what specific characteristics to look for.
Scientists have developed a novel method to create lab-grown diamonds without the extreme pressure typically required. This technique, reported in the journal Nature, involves exposing a liquid of gallium, iron, nickel, and silicon to a carbon-rich methane gas at 1025° Celsius. The addition of silicon initiates the growth process, allowing diamond crystals to form without the need for a diamond seed. This breakthrough could simplify the production of diamonds for industrial and scientific applications.
NASA’s Electrodynamic Dust Shield (EDS) technology is a game-changer for space exploration, offering a solution to the persistent problem of lunar dust that poses significant threats to spacecraft and astronauts. This innovative technology uses a combination of electrodes and electric fields to remove dust from various surfaces, including thermal radiators, solar panels, and even spacesuits.
After receiving an image from the device three months after its lunar landing, Japan’s space agency, JAXA, announced that Japan’s first moon lander, Smart Lander for Investing Moon (SLIM), has successfully weathered a third freezing lunar night. Despite extreme temperature fluctuations, SLIM’s key functions remain operational, providing valuable insights into the moon’s surface and composition.
A large study in France has found that chronic exposure to certain emulsifiers, commonly used in processed and packaged foods, is associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Emulsifiers are additives that are added to foods to improve their appearance, taste, texture, and shelf life. However, some recent studies have suggested that emulsifiers may disrupt the gut microbiota and increase the risk of inflammation and metabolic disruption, potentially leading to insulin resistance and the development of diabetes.
Meta-owned WhatsApp is revolutionizing communication with the introduction of an in-app dialer. This feature empowers users to make calls directly from the app, eliminating the need to save contacts. With this convenience-enhancing update, WhatsApp aims to streamline communication and enhance user experience.
The Gullah Geechee, descendants of enslaved people living along the Southeast coast, face threats to their homeland and traditions from climate change. Queen Quet, their chieftess, has raised awareness of these dangers and urged action to protect them. The Biden administration and NOAA have invested in coastal communities like the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor to strengthen resilience against sea level rise and erosion, supporting projects such as living shorelines and oyster reef restoration.
Emerging cicadas in Newberry County, South Carolina, have residents calling the sheriff’s office to report strange noises. The male cicadas are singing to attract mates after more than a decade of being dormant, creating a deafening roar. Despite the annoyance, officials remind residents that the cicadas pose no danger and are a natural phenomenon.
