Generations Ships would be similar to space habitats designed in the 1970sNASA/Rick GuidiceIf you've ever dreamed of designing a spacecraft to carry humans to another star system over centuries, now's your chance. The Project Hyperion Design Contest encourages teams to develop Generation Ship concepts—self-sustaining vessels built for long-term interstellar travel.Colonizing other planets has often...
Image from PixabayScientists have developed an ultra-sensitive nanoscale sensor capable of detecting lung cancer by analyzing the levels of a chemical called isoprene in exhaled breath. This breakthrough may lead to a non-invasive, affordable way to catch the disease at an early stage, potentially saving numerous lives.Isoprene is released during the body’s process of...
Artist's concept of an orbital solar power plantSpace SolarUK startup Space Solar has signed a deal with Reykjavik Energy that could make Iceland the first country to receive solar power beamed from space, with a 30-MW demonstration set for launch by 2030.While solar power is a clean energy source, it faces limitations like cloud...
Cordyceps fungus infecting a longhorn beetle grub. (Ian Redding/Getty Images)Zombies tap into our fears, and once they get in our heads, they stay there. Animals overtaken by "zombies" lose control over their bodies and actions, instead serving the needs of a virus, fungus, or other parasite.The word "zombi" originates from Vodou, a religion that developed...
Credit: PixabayThe European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) reported on Wednesday that it had identified hazardous, banned chemicals in hundreds of cosmetic products sold throughout Europe.Moreover, the Helsinki-based agency inspected nearly 4,500 cosmetic products across 13 European countries, discovering that six percent—or 285 products—contained substances prohibited for their harmful health effects.Hazardous Chemicals Found Across a Range...
Credit: PixabayIn a study on fruit fly larvae, researchers uncovered how swallowing triggers the release of serotonin in the brain, shedding light on the connection between eating and pleasure in animals.If similar mechanisms exist in humans, this could offer valuable insights into our own drive to eat and drink. By mapping the fruit fly's...
Green dye highlighting the DNA of microbes in a sample. (Suzuki et al., Microbial Ecology, 2024)Deep underground, a community of microbes has thrived in isolation for billions of years. These organisms, found in 2 billion-year-old rock, have been cut off far longer than any known subterranean microbes, surpassing the previous record of 100 million years.Geomicrobiologist...
Credit: DepositphotosHealthy aging is about balance. If you're over 50 and can stand on one leg for 30 seconds, scientists say you're aging well, even with a bit of swaying.A recent study reveals that balance declines faster with age than muscle strength or walking speed. "To our knowledge, this is the first comparison of...
(Solar Orbiter/EUI Team/ESA & NASA)Nuclear power generates about 10% of the world's electricity, with countries like France relying on it for nearly 70%. Tech giants like Google are also turning to nuclear energy to power their demanding data centers.The energy for nuclear power comes from atomic binding energy, released through two primary processes: fission...
Credit: DepositphotosA case in Kentucky, where a man woke up just before his organs were set to be harvested, has raised concerns about the protocols used by US hospitals and organ donation networks to confirm death.Whistleblower Nyckoletta Martin detailed this disturbing incident in a letter to the US House Energy and Commerce Committee during...
