Scientists at Rice University and the University of Houston have created a powerful new material by guiding bacteria to grow cellulose in aligned patterns, resulting in sheets with the strength of metals and the flexibility of plastic—without the pollution. Using a spinning bioreactor, they’ve turned Earth’s purest biopolymer into a high-performance alternative to plastic, capable …

Goodbye plastic? Scientists create new supermaterial that outperforms metals and glass Read More »

A tiny object far beyond Pluto, newly discovered by the Subaru Telescope, could reshape our understanding of the early Solar System. Named 2023 KQ14, this rare “sednoid” follows an unusual orbit that doesn’t match its known cousins—hinting at ancient celestial upheavals, and possibly even challenging the existence of the elusive Planet Nine. With a stable …

A strange fossil at the edge of the solar system just shook up Planet Nine theories Read More »

Astronomers have discovered a bizarre object in the outer solar system, 2020 VN40, that dances to Neptune’s gravitational beat in a never-before-seen rhythm. It’s the first of its kind, orbiting the Sun once for every ten orbits of Neptune, and could reshape how we understand the movement and evolution of distant cosmic bodies. ​Astronomers have …

Mysterious object found dancing with Neptune Read More »

Astronomers have, for the first time, observed the very beginning of planet formation around a star beyond our Solar System. Using the James Webb Space Telescope and ALMA, researchers detected hot minerals starting to solidify in the dusty disc surrounding a young star called HOPS-315, located 1300 light-years from Earth. These minerals mark the earliest …

Astronomers just witnessed planets being born around a baby star 1300 light-years away Read More »

Astronomers studying a rare neutron star system have uncovered a surprising source of powerful X-rays. Using NASA s IXPE telescope and data from other observatories, an international team found that the radiation doesn’t come from the star s surrounding disk of gas, as previously believed, but from a wild and turbulent pulsar wind. This fast-moving …

NASA’s IXPE tracked a rare pulsar—and found an unexpected power source Read More »

Using a clever combo of iron and radical chemistry, scientists have unlocked a safer, faster way to create carbenes molecular powerhouses key to modern medicine and materials. It s 100x more efficient than previous methods. ​Using a clever combo of iron and radical chemistry, scientists have unlocked a safer, faster way to create carbenes molecular …

Cracking the carbene code: A 100x faster path to life-saving drugs Read More »

Even the most powerful AI models, including ChatGPT, can make surprisingly basic errors when navigating ethical medical decisions, a new study reveals. Researchers tweaked familiar ethical dilemmas and discovered that AI often defaulted to intuitive but incorrect responses—sometimes ignoring updated facts. The findings raise serious concerns about using AI for high-stakes health decisions and underscore …

A simple twist fooled AI—and revealed a dangerous flaw in medical ethics Read More »

Imagine concrete that not only survives wildfires and extreme weather, but heals itself and absorbs carbon from the air. Scientists at USC have created an AI model called Allegro-FM that simulates billions of atoms at once, helping design futuristic materials like carbon-neutral concrete. This tech could transform cities by reducing emissions, extending building lifespans, and …

Concrete that lasts centuries and captures carbon? AI just made it possible Read More »

Astronomers have likely witnessed a planet forming in real time, seen inside a spiral arm of the HD 135344B protoplanetary disc—exactly where theory predicted. The direct light detection is what sets this apart from previous hints of forming worlds. ​Astronomers have likely witnessed a planet forming in real time, seen inside a spiral arm of …

Astronomers capture giant planet forming 440 light-years from Earth Read More »

In the sprawling Hydra constellation, 137 million light-years away, lies NGC 3285B—a dazzling spiral galaxy recently spotlighted by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. This cosmic beauty orbits the edges of the massive Hydra I galaxy cluster, home to some of the universe’s largest elliptical galaxies. What drew astronomers’ eyes was a brilliant Type Ia supernova, a …

Hubble caught a star exploding — and it’s helping map the cosmos Read More »