Science & Health
Science, health, and research news � updated every 15 minutes
Science and health news covering space exploration, medical research, climate, biology, and technology breakthroughs. Updated every 15 minutes from NASA, Science Daily, New Scientist, and leading science communities.
Black hole winds may be robbing giant galaxies of their future stars
Astronomers may have solved a long-standing mystery about why some of the universe's largest galaxies contain far fewer stars than expected. New evidence suggests that powerful winds from supermassive black holes are stripping these galaxies of the gas needed to form new stars. The observations were made
Read more →Tropical Storm Arthur
Tropical Storm Arthur, the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, brought intense rainfall and flash flood threats to the U.S. Gulf Coast. The system formed early in the season, catching residents off guard and prompting warnings from local authorities. As a slow-moving storm, Arthur risked prolonged downpours that could overwhelm drainage systems. Its early formation highlights the potential for an active hurricane season ahead.
Read more →SpaceX wants to build AI data centers in space. Will it work?
SpaceX is exploring the construction of AI data centers in orbit to harness abundant solar energy and bypass terrestrial energy constraints, aiming to meet the surging computational demands of artificial intelligence. The proposal faces significant technical hurdles, including high launch costs and the need for reliable cooling and maintenance in space. If successful, orbital data centers could revolutionize data processing by reducing latency for global communications and providing uninterrupted power. However, the feasibility and economic viability of such a venture remain unproven.
Read more →Scientists May Have Found What Really Triggers Alzheimer’s Disease
Scientists may have identified a new trigger for Alzheimer’s disease, shifting focus from amyloid beta plaques to how they interfere with the tau protein, which normally helps stabilize brain cells. This interference disrupts tau’s function, potentially leading to the neurodegeneration characteristic of Alzheimer’s. The finding reframes the long-held belief that plaques alone cause the disease, suggesting a more complex mechanism. Understanding this interaction could open new avenues for treatments targeting tau rather than just amyloid buildup.
Read more →Curiosity Blog, Sols 4920-4926: Surveying the Bands
NASA's Curiosity rover conducted a survey of geological "bands" (rock layers) on Mars during Sols 4920-4926, with planning completed on June 12, 2026. The mission, described by scientist William Farrand as akin to moving between stages at a music festival, involves examining distinct rock formations to understand the Martian environment. This survey is part of Curiosity's ongoing exploration of Gale Crater, providing insights into the planet's geological history. The data collected will help scientists reconstruct past conditions and assess the region's habitability.
Read more →NASA Mission to Study Space Weather Impacts of Earth’s Atmosphere
NASA has selected a new mission concept to study how space weather and dynamics within Earth’s atmosphere interact to affect the near-space environment. The mission aims to improve understanding of these processes and enhance predictive capabilities for space weather events that can disrupt satellites and communications. By examining the coupling between the lower atmosphere and space, the research will support better forecasting of geomagnetic storms and other phenomena. This initiative underscores NASA’s commitment to advancing space weather science to protect critical infrastructure and human activities in space.
Read more →NASA Awards Contract for Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition
NASA has awarded contracts to eight new companies and will acquire new data products from six existing holders of its Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition
Read more →From Suriname to Space: Rohit Goeptar Shares His Journey to NASA
Rohit Goeptar was born into poverty in Suriname, where his parents worked three jobs each just to provide basic food and shelter. Despite these hardships, he pursued his passion for science and space exploration, eventually earning a position at NASA. His journey highlights the power of determination and access to education in overcoming systemic economic barriers. Goeptar’s story serves as an inspiring example of achieving extraordinary goals from the humblest of beginnings.
Read more →Remarkable fossils rewrite the story of how animals conquered the land
New fossil evidence indicates that the early ancestors of amphibians, reptiles, and mammals did not possess a larval stage with external gills, unlike many modern amphibians. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that these ancient tetrapods underwent an aquatic larval phase before moving onto land. Instead, the fossils suggest that these early land animals developed directly, without relying on water for early life stages. The finding
Read more →Waves reflecting off Earth's core shifted Japan after 2011 earthquake
Fifteen minutes after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, an unusual tectonic movement shifted nearly all of Japan five millimeters east. This displacement was caused by seismic waves that reflected off Earth’s core and traveled back to the surface. The event is significant because such large-scale, coherent ground movement from core-reflected waves had never been observed before. It provides new insight into how deep Earth structures influence surface motions during major quakes.
Read more →Desert Field Test With NASA Advanced Rover Prototype
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory conducted a field test of a four-wheel rover prototype in the Colorado Desert, designed with advanced mobility and autonomous navigation systems. The rover successfully demonstrated its ability to traverse rough, sandy terrain without real-time human control, highlighting progress in robotic self-sufficiency for future space missions. This test is significant as it validates technologies needed for exploring challenging environments on other planets, such as Mars or the Moon. The desert conditions closely mimic extraterrestrial landscapes, providing a realistic proving ground for NASA's next-generation exploration vehicles.
Read more →NASA Testing Advanced Capabilities for Moon, Mars Rovers
NASA is testing new autonomous rover technologies in a harsh simulated lunar environment at the Colorado Desert in California. A compact four-wheeled rover recently completed a 16-mile (26-kilometer) traverse with minimal human intervention, demonstrating advanced capabilities for future Moon and Mars missions. The tests aim to improve rovers’ ability to navigate rugged terrain without constant guidance from Earth. These advancements are critical for supporting long-duration exploration and reducing communication delays in deep space. The successful trial marks a significant step toward more self-sufficient robotic explorers.
Read more →NASA’s Lucy Reveals Wobbling, Peanut-Shaped Asteroid
NASA’s Lucy spacecraft flew past the asteroid Donaldjohanson in April 2025, revealing it to be a wobbly, peanut-shaped body about 3 miles long. The asteroid’s unusual rotation and contact-binary structure—two lobes connected by a narrow neck—provide new insights into how small asteroids form and evolve. This flyby, a secondary target on Lucy’s journey to the Jupiter Trojan asteroids, highlights the complexity of even small celestial bodies. The findings underscore the dynamic nature of asteroids in the solar system.
Read more →Scientists discover an earthquake gate as California faults reach their highest stress levels in 1,000 years
A new study reveals that Southern California's major fault system is under its highest stress in 1,000 years. Researchers identified an "earthquake gate" at Cajon Pass, a critical junction on the San Andreas fault. This gate may control seismic energy release, raising the potential for a major earthquake. The findings highlight an elevated risk for the region, which has not experienced a large rupture in over a century.
Read more →Stages of Star Formation
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope captured a detailed image of a small section within the massive Orion Molecular Clouds, released on June 5, 2026. The image reveals distinct stages of star formation, from dense gas pockets to protostars, highlighting the complex processes that shape stellar birth. This observation provides critical insights into how stars and planetary systems form within these dusty molecular regions. The findings underscore Webb’s ability to unveil previously hidden details of early star development.
Read more →Arizona reservoir nearly vanishes after snowpack collapse triggers massive fish kill
San Carlos Reservoir in Arizona is now less than 1% full after a historic lack of snow in the Gila River watershed caused a snowpack collapse. The dramatic drop in water levels triggered a massive fish kill and forced an indefinite closure of the reservoir. The event underscores the severe drought and water scarcity impacting the Southwest.
Read more →Carl Sagan's The Demon-Haunted World is still supremely relevant today
Carl Sagan's "The Demon-Ha
Read more →Ancient DNA reveals plague was already killing humans 5,500 years ago
Analysis of ancient DNA from human remains in Sweden and Denmark shows that the plague bacterium *Yersinia pestis* was present in Scandinavia 5,500 years ago, predating the large urban populations and rat infestations typically associated with historic outbreaks. This early strain lacked the gene for flea-borne transmission, suggesting it spread directly between humans, likely through respiratory droplets. The findings indicate that plague caused significant population declines during the Neolithic period, long before the Bronze Age and the later Justinian Plague or Black Death. This discovery reshapes understanding of plague’s evolution and its impact on prehistoric human societies.
Read more →Complex life on Earth may last 500 million years longer than expected
A new study suggests that complex life on Earth could survive up to 500 million years longer than previously estimated, due to revised modeling of atmospheric and climate changes. As the sun expands and brightens, Earth was expected to become too hot for complex organisms within about 1 billion years, but the new research indicates this tipping point may be delayed. The study accounts for factors like reduced volcanic activity and a decline in atmospheric carbon dioxide, which could slow the planet’s warming. This extended timeline offers a broader window for the potential evolution of intelligent life, though microbial life will persist even longer. The findings reshape our understanding of Earth’s habitable lifespan.
Read more →Hubble Glimpses Merging Galaxy Clusters
The NASA Hubble Space Telescope has captured an image of the galaxy cluster CL0016+1609 (also known as MACS J0018.5+1626), which is very bright in X-ray wavelengths and one of the most extensive known clusters. The image reveals two galaxy clusters in the process of merging, a rare and powerful event that offers insights into dark matter and large-scale structure formation. The cluster’s high X-ray brightness indicates extremely hot gas, a key feature of such collisions. This observation helps astronomers understand how galaxy clusters evolve and interact over cosmic time.
Read more →Could cosmic memory explain dark matter, dark energy, and black holes?
A new theory proposes that the universe records its own history within the fabric of spacetime, a process termed "cosmic memory." This concept suggests that information from past events is preserved and could potentially explain the nature of dark matter and dark energy, as well as resolve paradoxes associated with black holes. If validated, the idea would represent a significant shift in understanding fundamental physics, offering a unified framework for these long-standing cosmic mysteries.
Read more →Major errors found in Al Gore-founded Climate TRACE database
A new study from Northern Arizona University has identified significant errors in the Climate TRACE database, a global emissions tracking tool co-founded by Al Gore. The researchers found that the database overestimates emissions from certain sectors, such as power plants, while underestimating others, including agriculture and waste. These inaccuracies could mislead policymakers and undermine climate action efforts that rely on the data for decision-making. The study highlights the need for more rigorous validation of emissions inventories to ensure effective climate mitigation strategies.
Read more →These bees have nowhere to hide from extreme heat
A major study of Australian native bees found that stem-nesting species, which lack the insulating benefits of underground burrows, are especially vulnerable to extreme heat from climate change. These bees rely on narrow plant stems for shelter, offering limited protection as temperatures rise. The research suggests they will likely be the first native bees to suffer population declines. This finding is significant because it highlights how different nesting behaviors affect species' survival, with implications for pollination and ecosystem health. The study underscores the urgent need to address climate impacts on vulnerable insect populations.
Read more →Researchers found 8 common food additives linked to high blood pressure and heart disease
A study involving over 112,000 participants identified eight common food preservatives linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. The research highlights how these additives, frequently found in processed foods, may contribute to cardiovascular health issues. This finding underscores the potential long-term health dangers of consuming such preservatives regularly. The study adds to growing evidence urging caution about dietary additives in everyday foods.
Read more →Ancient monument marked summer solstice centuries before Stonehenge
Archaeologists have discovered traces of a 5,000-year-old wooden structure near Stonehenge that predates the famous stone circle and was used to mark the summer solstice. Located just 5 kilometers from Stonehenge, the monument consisted of a series of wooden posts aligned with the sunrise on the longest day of the year. This finding suggests that ancient peoples in the region were tracking solar events centuries before Stonehenge was built. The discovery provides new insight into the ritual and astronomical practices of Neolithic communities in Britain.
Read more →Cervical cancer deaths have plummeted thanks to HPV vaccine
A new study provides the first direct evidence that the HPV vaccine significantly reduces cervical cancer deaths. Researchers found that deaths from the disease dropped by 62% among women in England who were vaccinated as adolescents. This builds on prior data showing the vaccine prevents infections and precancerous lesions, confirming its life-saving impact. The findings underscore the critical importance of widespread HPV vaccination programs for public health.
Read more →Chilling the body with drugs could limit brain damage from stroke
Researchers have tested drug-induced hypothermia in animals as a potential method to protect brain cells after a stroke by lowering core body temperature and inducing a hibernation-like state. This approach could reduce brain damage by slowing metabolic activity and preventing cell death during oxygen deprivation. The findings suggest a possible alternative to physical cooling, which is effective but difficult to implement in emergency settings. Human trials are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of this drug-based cooling strategy for stroke patients.
Read more →New Scientist recommends an excellent look at the future of work
In *We Are Not Machines*, Sarah O'Connor examines the harmful ways workers are adapting to artificial intelligence in the workplace, arguing that humans are contorting their behavior to fit flawed AI systems rather than the reverse. The book critiques the tech industry's failure to design AI that genuinely supports human labor. O'Connor offers practical strategies for reshaping work around human needs, including stronger regulation and worker-centered innovation. This review, by Tom Knowles, highlights the book’s timely challenge to rethink productivity and dignity in the age of automation.
Read more →Oldest known plague outbreak killed hunter-gatherer children
DNA evidence reveals that the oldest known plague outbreak killed hunter-gatherer children in Siberia more than 5,000 years ago. The bacteria devastated an entire community, challenging the long-held assumption that major disease outbreaks did not occur before the advent of agriculture. This finding reshapes understanding of prehistoric human health and disease transmission.
Read more →Pigeons lock their eyes in place when they are flying
A new study has tracked pigeon eye movements during flight for the first time, revealing they lock their eyes in a fixed forward position rather than scanning. Researchers used a head-mounted camera rig to show that the birds’ eye movements become less than one degree, aligning with their vestibular system. This stabilization may help pigeons distinguish their own motion from external threats, aiding balance and navigation while potentially reducing visual processing demands. The behavior, however, could also make them more vulnerable to predators.
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