Science

Astronomers have reportedly detected an extraordinary event – a deep space radio signal that took 8 billion years to reach Earth. The radio burst, named FRB 20220610A, is one of the most powerful and distant signals ever captured. Fast radio bursts (FRBs) like this are brief but incredibly strong, leaving scientists questioning their origins. The burst

Primordial black holes, formed shortly after the Big Bang, may pass through our solar system every decade, according to recent research. These black holes, much smaller and lighter than typical ones, could cause minor gravitational disruptions that scientists could detect. Researchers suggest that tracking these disruptions may help understand dark matter, an elusive substance believed

Cosmology stands at a potential turning point, with the NASA James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) poised to address longstanding issues in the field. For years, the standard cosmological model has been the gold standard, explaining the universe’s composition as 68 percent dark energy, 27 percent dark matter, and 5 percent ordinary matter. This model has

New research from the Hubble Space Telescope and NASA‘s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission reveals that Mars sheds water more quickly when it is closest to the Sun. These seasonal changes are tied to the planet’s orbit, where the increased solar heating during perihelion accelerates the escape of hydrogen atoms from Mars’ atmosphere.

The rise of conspiracy theories on the internet has become a major concern, with some theories leading to significant harm and misinformation. A recent study from MIT Sloan School of Management and Cornell University suggests that AI chatbots could be a powerful tool in combating these false beliefs. The study, published in Science, shows that

A recent study has highlighted the potential of metformin, a commonly used diabetes medication, in slowing the ageing process in monkeys. Published in Cell on 12 September, the research shows that daily doses of metformin can preserve cognitive function and delay the ageing effects on various tissues, particularly the brain. This study brings forward the

Recent research highlights a troubling rise in atmospheric methane, a greenhouse gas 80 times more effective than carbon dioxide (CO2) at trapping heat in the short term. Despite the 2021 Global Methane Pledge, which aims to reduce methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030, current levels are increasing faster than at any time in the

Jared Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur, and Sarah Gillis, a SpaceX engineer, have achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first non-professional astronauts to perform a spacewalk. On September 12, 2024, Isaacman and Gillis emerged from the SpaceX Dragon capsule, floating 435 miles above Earth. This commercial mission, funded by Isaacman, marks a historic first since

A novel approach to improving the performance of MOF-based supercapacitors has been developed by researchers at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali. This laser-based technique allows for the controlled introduction of defects in the material, boosting energy storage capabilities. The method could offer a significant improvement over traditional methods used for defect

New research suggests that a powerful El Niño cycle, fuelled by a massive release of carbon dioxide, may have contributed to Earth’s largest mass extinction around 250 million years ago, during the end of the Permian period. Volcanic eruptions in what is now Siberia caused enormous amounts of carbon dioxide to enter the atmosphere, resulting

NASA has once again captivated the internet by releasing stunning photos of the Red Spider Nebula, a remarkable celestial object located 3,000 light-years away in the constellation of Sagittarius. The fiery red nebula has captured the imagination of space enthusiasts and social media users alike with its vivid colours and distinctive spider-like shape. A Closer

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have identified a previously unknown Neanderthal lineage based on DNA from a fossil found in the Grotte Mandrin rock shelter in France. This lineage, belonging to an individual referred to as “Thorin,” reportedly evolved in isolation from other Neanderthal populations for nearly 50,000 years. The finding has offered a fresh

Voyager 1, the farthest human-made object from Earth, has recently undergone a critical adjustment to its thruster system as it navigates the vast expanse of interstellar space. Despite being operational for 47 years, the spacecraft required a clever fix to maintain its alignment and continue sending valuable data back to Earth. Voyager 1’s Thruster Issue

China is set to establish a moon base at the lunar south pole by 2035, with the project divided into two key phases. This ambitious initiative, led by China with Russia’s support, is part of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) programme. Initially outlined in June 2021, the plan will involve constructing a basic robotic

Polaris Dawn, a private space mission has set a new record for the highest orbit reached by humans since NASA‘s Apollo programme. On 10th September 2024, the four-member Polaris Dawn crew aboard SpaceX‘s Dragon spacecraft Resilience achieved an apogee of 1,400.7 kilometres. This surpasses the 1966 Gemini 11 mission’s altitude of 1,373 kilometres, marking the

A groundbreaking study from the National University of Singapore has revealed that it is possible to reverse the ageing process in mouse egg cells, offering new hope for fertility treatments. Researchers, led by Dr Rong Li, Director of the Mechanobiology Institute, have discovered a method to rejuvenate ageing mouse oocytes by placing them into younger