NASA’s oldest active astronaut is also one of the most curious humans
"We made the mistake of peeking out the Cupola windows." For his most recent trip to the International Space Station, in lieu of bringing coffee or some other beverage in his "per.....»»
Australian dragon study reveals surprising link between motor systems control and sleep rhythms
Sleep is one of the most mysterious, yet ubiquitous components of our biology. It has been described in all major groups of animals, including worms, jellyfish, insects or cephalopods, and in all vertebrates, from fish to humans. Common characteristi.....»»
Biologists discover how plants evolved multiple ways to override genetic instructions
Biologists at Washington University in St. Louis have discovered the origin of a curious duplication that gives plants multiple ways to override instructions that are coded into their DNA. This research could help scientists exploit a plant's existin.....»»
"Shallow" sports and "deep" social hierarchies: Not all pecking orders are created equally
University of Michigan researchers have added a new dimension to the mathematics used to predict the outcomes of all manner of competitions, including sports, games and social hierarchies in both humans and animals......»»
After 31 cargo missions, NASA finds Dragon still has some new tricks
Typically, most of the ISS propulsion comes from the Russian segment of the space station. A Cargo Dragon spacecraft docked to the International Space Station on Tuesday morning,.....»»
Hubble and Webb are the dream team—don"t break them up, researchers say
Many people think of the James Webb Space Telescope as a sort of Hubble 2. They understand that the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) has served us well but is now old and overdue for replacement. NASA seems to agree, as they have not sent a maintenance m.....»»
Scientists have figured out why Martian soil is so crusty
On November 26, 2018, NASA's Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy, and Heat Transport (InSight) mission landed on Mars. This was a major milestone in Mars exploration since it was the first time a research station had been deplo.....»»
Deaf male mosquitoes don"t mate, researchers discover
Romance is a complex affair in humans. There's personality, appearance, seduction, all manner of physical and social cues. Mosquitoes are much more blunt. Mating occurs for a few seconds in midair. And all it takes to woo a male is the sound of a fem.....»»
Novel flame aerosol system excels at creating nanoparticles
Since prehistoric times, humans have used fire to transform raw materials into valuable goods. Examples include using flames to turn clay into pottery, and silica into glass......»»
Still kickin" since the "70s: NASA"s Voyager mission keeps exploring
NASA's Voyager mission launched in the 1970s. Today, it's making history as it conducts new science. But how are two spacecraft from the '70s not just surviving, but thriving farther out in space than any other spacecraft has been before?.....»»
Latest space station science reveals news for astronaut health and telescope longevity
Recent findings from the International Space Station address wound healing, fine motor control in space, and radiation resistance by the station's Glowbug gamma-ray telescope......»»
Final Venus flyby for NASA"s Parker Solar Probe queues closest sun pass
On Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, NASA's Parker Solar Probe will complete its final Venus gravity assist maneuver, passing within 233 miles (376 km) of Venus's surface. The flyby will adjust Parker's trajectory into its final orbital configuration, bringin.....»»
Portal to the past: Geologist identifies metamorphic rock as a crucial feature of the ancient Earth"s carbon cycle
If Earth's history were a calendar year, humans would not appear until the last few minutes before midnight on Dec. 31. During the Proterozoic Eon—2.5 billion years to 543 million years ago—the sun was still a young star, much dimmer than today,.....»»
Monkeys know who will win the election—primal instincts humans share with them shape voters" choices
As Election Day looms with Kamala Harris and Donald Trump locked in a dead heat, pollsters and pundits are scrambling for clues to predict the outcome......»»
Oh buoy! A new-generation satellite mission to study color of the ocean from space
Curtin University has joined forces with NASA, University of Miami, San José State University and the National Institute of Standards and Technology on a new-generation satellite mission to study the color of the ocean from space, providing vital in.....»»
Sequencing one of the world"s oldest trees to learn how mutations occur in clonally reproducing organisms
A team of biologists, environmental scientists and geneticists affiliated with multiple institutions across the U.S. has learned more about how mutations occur in clonally reproducing organisms by sequencing one of the oldest trees in the world. The.....»»
After a long break, NASA suggests timing for next spacewalk
NASA suspended spacewalks aboard the ISS in June 2024 after a safety issue emerged with one of the astronaut's spacesuits just before a walk was about to begin......»»
NASA’s monthly skywatching tips include a rare lunar occultation
November is a good month to view many of the planets in our neighborhood, and some folks will also be able to witness a rare lunar occultation......»»
Not too big, not too small: Why modern humans are the ideal size for speed
The fastest animal on land is the cheetah, capable of reaching top speeds of 104 kilometers per hour. In the water, the fastest animals are yellowfin tuna and wahoo, which can reach speeds of 75 and 77 km per hour respectively. In the air, the title.....»»
H5N1 Detected in Pig Highlights the Risk of Bird Flu Mixing with Seasonal Flu
Humans and pigs could both serve as mixing vessels for a bird flu–seasonal flu hybrid, posing a risk of wider spread.....»»
China’s radar killer drone shoots better than AI, humans with new ChatGPT-like brain
China’s radar killer drone shoots better than AI, humans with new ChatGPT-like brain.....»»