Science

A discovery has shed light on the early evolution of nervous systems in ecdysozoan animals, a group that includes insects, nematodes, and priapulid worms. Fossil evidence from the early Cambrian Kuanchuanpu Formation has revealed details of the ventral nerve cord structure in ancient organisms, providing key insights into the evolutionary history of this critical component

Operations for NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) spacecraft have been restored after a data outage caused by a flood at Stanford University. On November 26, 2024, a burst pipe damaged approximately 20 percent of the systems managing data from the spacecraft. Despite disruptions, the spacecraft continued normal operation,

Jupiter’s atmospheric composition has been called into question through observations made using an old technique by an amateur astronomer, Steve Hill. The findings have indicated that the planet’s iconic swirling clouds may not be composed of ammonia ice, as previously assumed. This revelation stems from data collected with commercial telescopes and spectral filters, presenting new

The launch of Blue Origin’s highly anticipated New Glenn rocket has been delayed due to adverse weather conditions. Initially planned for Friday, January 10, the liftoff was rescheduled to Sunday, January 12, at 1:00 a.m. EST (0600 GMT). This decision was taken because rough seas in the Atlantic Ocean could jeopardise the landing of the

Scientists have discovered a unique link between ferroelectric domain walls and superconductivity in two-dimensional van der Waals materials. This breakthrough, credited to research by Gaurav Chaudhary from the University of Cambridge and Ivar Martin from Argonne National Laboratory, sheds light on how specific structural features in these materials enable strong electron interactions. The findings are

Another significant mission was undertaken by SpaceX on January 9, with the deployment of a new set of spy satellites for the United States government. A Falcon 9 rocket carried the NROL-153 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, lifting off at 10:53 p.m. EST. This launch marked the seventh instalment of the National

A remarkable discovery has been made in Lithuania’s Vilnius Cathedral, where 16th-century royal burial regalia were recovered after being concealed for nearly a century. The artefacts, including crowns, rings, chains, a sceptre, and coffin plaques, had been hidden in a crypt at the start of World War II. These treasures, once belonging to significant figures

A bacterial parasite has been observed to influence plant cell behaviour in a way that enhances its own transmission through sap-feeding insects. This adaptation alters plant responses. It was observed that it attracts female insects to males already present, which promotes the parasite’s survival. The discovery highlights a unique interaction among plants, bacteria, and insects,

A groundbreaking discovery has been made in the Caucasus Mountains where an ancient Bronze Age settlement, Dmanisis Gora, has been mapped using drone technology. This site, believed to be over 3,000 years old, reveals new insights into the evolution of large-scale settlements during the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age. Spanning an area far

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has postponed its Space Docking Experiment (SpaDex) mission which was scheduled for Thursday, after the satellites drifted more than expected during a manoeuvre, ISRO said in a statement on Wednesday. This is the second time that the docking experiment has been postponed.It was originally scheduled for January 7. In

The highly anticipated debut launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket has been scheduled for January 10, 2025. The heavy-lift rocket, designed for both commercial and government missions, will take off from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. A launch window of three hours, beginning at 1 a.m. EST, has been announced. The rocket’s inaugural

A comprehensive analysis of the NGC 5018 galaxy group has been conducted, shedding light on its globular cluster (GC) system. Using data from the VLT Survey Telescope (VST), researchers studied this galaxy group, located approximately 132.5 million light years away in the Virgo constellation. The investigation revealed vital details about the clusters’ distribution and interactions

A 2,300-year-old marble statuette discovered in Alexandria, Egypt, has offered new insights into how dwarves were perceived during the Ptolemaic period (332–150 B.C.). Depicting a muscular, nude dwarf in motion, the 4-inch sculpture reflects a combination of Egyptian and Greek artistic traditions. Despite missing its arms, legs, and part of the head, the craftsmanship of

The ancient Rujm el-Hiri site, situated in the Golan Heights and often referred to as the “Wheel of Ghosts,” has been re-evaluated, with its long-standing identification as an astronomical observatory coming under scrutiny. Researchers have determined that geodynamic changes over millions of years have altered the site’s orientation, raising questions about its original purpose. These

A breakthrough has been reported in particle physics, focusing on hypernuclei—rare atomic systems that form through the inclusion of hyperons, particles containing at least one “strange” quark. Unlike the ordinary nuclei of atoms made of protons and neutrons, hypernuclei exhibit unique properties that may offer insights into subatomic forces and the extreme conditions present in

A novel crystal-based technology has been identified as a potential solution for sustainable cooling systems. Current refrigeration and air conditioning devices rely on liquid-based systems to absorb heat through evaporation and condensation. While effective, these fluids contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions when leaked, intensifying global warming. Efforts to counteract this environmental impact have led

The study of the Sun and its influence on the solar system is expected to make significant strides in 2025. The year will bring new developments driven by an active solar cycle, upcoming spacecraft missions, and a strategic roadmap for the next decade. Researchers are focused on unlocking key mysteries of the sun, whose activity

Organic carbon preservation in ocean sediments, a phenomenon critical to the Earth’s carbon cycle, has been illuminated by new research. The study explores mechanisms that prevent organic carbon from breaking down, a process vital for climate regulation. Preserved carbon, over time, can transform into fossil fuels, locking away carbon dioxide—a leading contributor to climate change.

The first confirmed case of a female burial with weapons from the 10th century in the Carpathian Basin, Hungary, has been uncovered. Skeletal remains and grave goods, including weaponry, were identified at the Sárrétudvari-Hízóföld cemetery. This discovery, described by experts, challenges prior assumptions about societal roles during the Hungarian Conquest period, a time marked by

Elon Musk’s SpaceX said on Friday its upcoming Starship test flight would include the rocket’s first attempt to deploy payloads in space by releasing 10 model Starlink satellites, a key demonstration for Starship’s potential in the satellite launch market. “While in space, Starship will deploy 10 Starlink simulators, similar in size and weight to next-generation