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Science Digest: Space Ambitions, Brain Research, and Climate Surprises

SpaceX's next Starship launch will lift off on Sept. 22 and aim to reach orbit for 1st time

SpaceX is preparing for the next Starship test flight scheduled for September 22, marking a significant milestone as the company attempts to reach orbit for the first time with its next-generation heavy-lift vehicle.

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US Space Force says it operates weapons in orbit: 'Our aim is deterrence'

The U.S. Space Force has publicly acknowledged that it operates weapons in orbit designed to defend against space-enabled attacks, framing its mission as one focused on deterrence in the increasingly contested domain of space.

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Making rocket fuel out of Mars' thin air: New breakthrough could make it happen

Researchers have developed a new method to produce rocket fuel directly from Mars' thin carbon dioxide atmosphere, potentially allowing future missions to manufacture propellant on the Red Planet instead of carrying it from Earth.

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Scientists discover a major brain shift between ages 50 and 75

A comprehensive study has identified sweeping changes in brain cell composition and genome organization that begin around age 50, potentially explaining the sharp rise in Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases during aging.

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Scientists stunned as volcano cloud starts destroying methane

The 2022 Hunga Tonga eruption appears to have triggered a surprising atmospheric chemical reaction that partially destroyed methane released during the event, potentially reshaping how scientists estimate methane pollution and opening new avenues for combating near-term global warming.

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