Science Briefing: Space Exploration Shifts, Cosmic Revelations, and Medical Discoveries
NASA Abandons Mars Sample Return Mission
NASA has cancelled its Mars Sample Return mission, citing prohibitive costs that had ballooned to over $11 billion, potentially ceding the initiative to China which is pursuing its own Mars sample retrieval plans.
Read more: NASA Cancels Mars Sample Retrieval Due to Cost, Letting China Lead - 조선일보
Europe's Hera Probe to Inspect Asteroid Aftermath
The European Space Agency's Hera probe is expected to arrive at the asteroid Dimorphos this month to study the aftermath of NASA's 2022 DART mission, which deliberately impacted the asteroid to test planetary defense capabilities.
Perseverance Rover Sets Interplanetary Driving Record
NASA's Perseverance Mars rover has broken the interplanetary driving record, surpassing previous distance milestones achieved by other rovers on the Red Planet, while the mission team confirms the rover remains far from finished with its exploration goals.
Read more: NASA's Perseverance Mars rover breaks interplanetary driving record — and it's far from done - Space
Hypernovas May Not Have Occurred as Believed
Researchers have found evidence suggesting that some of the universe's most powerful stellar explosions, known as hypernovas, may not have actually happened as previously thought, potentially requiring a reassessment of how these cosmic events are identified.
Read more: Scientists discover that some of the universe's biggest explosions may have never happened at all
Overlooked Peptide May Contribute to Alzheimer's Disease
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz are highlighting a peptide called P3—previously dismissed as harmless—as a potential contributor to Alzheimer's disease, noting it can form damaging protein clumps even faster than the well-studied amyloid beta.
Read more: Scientists may have overlooked a hidden Alzheimer's culprit for decades
AI Uncovers New Pathways to Convert CO2 Into Fuel
Researchers have applied artificial intelligence to identify nearly 10,000 previously unknown chemical reactions involved in transforming carbon dioxide into fuels and chemicals, dramatically improving prediction models and revealing unexpected pathways that could inspire more efficient catalysts.
Read more: AI reveals a hidden chemical shortcut that could turn CO2 into fuel