Life

Health, science, climate, and society-focused reporting.

NASA's Neutron Spectrometer System to Support Lunar Ice Exploration

NASA is collaborating on the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission, deploying the Neutron Spectrometer System (NSS) to identify ice deposits at the moon's South Pole.

Editorial Staff Apr 4

Life

Astrocytes: Key Infrastructure in Fear Memory and PTSD Management

Recent findings highlight the role of astrocytes in managing fear responses, indicating significant implications for PTSD treatment and neurological architecture.

Editorial Staff Apr 4

Life

Artemis 2 Mission: Astronauts Reach Midpoint on Journey to Moon

NASA's Artemis 2 mission has reached the halfway mark between Earth and the Moon, with initial images of Earth captured from the Orion spacecraft.

Editorial Staff Apr 4

Life

Easter Lamb Cake: A Study in Cultural Baking Practices

The Easter lamb cake, with its origins in Central Europe, represents a significant cultural artifact, particularly in Germany and Poland, where it is traditionally made and decorated.

Editorial Staff Apr 4

Life

New North Sea Drilling Projects Show Limited Impact on UK Gas Imports

Recent research indicates that new drilling fields in the North Sea will have a minimal effect on the UK's gas import dependency, with the Jackdaw and Rosebank fields contributing only 2% and 1% respectively.

Editorial Staff Apr 4

Life

UK Spring Phenology: Early Indicators of Seasonal Change

Recent citizen science data indicates significant shifts in phenological events in the UK, with early flowering and insect activity linked to climate change.

Editorial Staff Apr 4

Life

Switzerland to Develop €436.1 Million Chocolate Mega Destination by 2030

A significant investment of €436.1 million is set for a new chocolate mega destination in Switzerland, featuring hotels, restaurants, and educational opportunities related to confectionery.

Editorial Staff Apr 4

Life

Sydney Councils Raise Concerns Over Datacentre Developments

Sydney councils are expressing concerns that new datacentre projects may lead to blackouts, hinder housing developments, and pose health risks to local residents.

Editorial Staff Apr 4

Life

Artemis 2 Orion Spacecraft Progressing Smoothly Towards Lunar Mission

Following a successful engine ignition, the Artemis 2 Orion spacecraft is on track for its lunar mission, encountering only minor operational issues.

Editorial Staff Apr 4

Life

Signal: Dinosaur egg trove discovered in Hérault

Infrastructure lens: The Musée des dinosaures de Mèze has announced the discovery of about 100 dinosaur eggs dating back approximately 72 million years.

Editorial Staff Apr 4

Life

NASA and Northrop Grumman Prepare for CRS-24 Resupply Launch

NASA, alongside Northrop Grumman and SpaceX, has scheduled the CRS-24 resupply mission for April 8 at 8:49 a.m. EDT, aimed at supporting ISS operations with vital supplies and scientific payloads.

Editorial Staff Apr 3

Life

Scientific Confirmation of Fish Climbing Waterfalls in Central Africa

Recent studies have documented a phenomenon long regarded as folklore: fish climbing a 50-foot waterfall in Central Africa. This finding has implications for understanding aquatic adaptability.

Editorial Staff Apr 3

Life

Hawkmoths Identified as Key Pollinators for Jasminanthes mucronata in Japan

A recent study highlights the role of nocturnal hawkmoths in the pollination of Jasminanthes mucronata, a plant producing black nectar, emphasizing the need for understanding nocturnal pollination systems.

Editorial Staff Apr 3

Life

Study Examines Unpaved Roads' Impact on Watersheds in Northwest Arkansas

Research investigates sediment contributions from unpaved roads to Brush Creek, a vital waterway supplying Beaver Lake, the primary drinking water source for the region.

Editorial Staff Apr 3

Life

Advancements in Microwave Photon Detection Could Impact Quantum Technology Infrastructure

Recent developments in detecting microwave photons may significantly enhance the capabilities of quantum technology, which relies on precise measurements and interactions.

Editorial Staff Apr 3

Life

Trump's Proposed Budget Cuts NIH Funding by $5 Billion

The proposed budget for 2027 suggests a reduction in the National Institutes of Health's funding and a decrease in the number of institutes. Congressional approval is uncertain.

Editorial Staff Apr 3

Life

New High-Throughput Platform for Covalent Protein Therapeutics Developed

Westlake University has introduced a high-throughput platform aimed at the efficient engineering of fast-acting covalent protein therapeutics, enhancing drug development processes.

Editorial Staff Apr 3

Life

NASA Appoints First Science Officers for Artemis II Mission

NASA has appointed Kelsey Young, Trevor Graff, and Angela Garcia as the inaugural science officers for the Artemis II mission, focusing on integrating lunar science into mission operations.

Editorial Staff Apr 3

Life

Argotec Expands Satellite Production Capacity in Florida to Address U.S. Demand

Argotec has inaugurated its first U.S. satellite production facility in Florida, strategically located near Kennedy Space Center to support increasing requirements from American space initiatives.

Editorial Staff Apr 3

Life

New PIGA Method Enhances Genome Assembly Efficiency for Genetic Screening

A research team at Westlake University has developed a cost-effective pangenome-informed genome assembly (PIGA) method, promising to improve genetic screening capabilities.

Editorial Staff Apr 3