Article Science

Science News Brief: Quantum Foundations, Lunar Exploration, and Black Holes

Physicists say quantum mechanics may not need imaginary numbers after all

Researchers from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf and the German Aerospace Center have shown that quantum mechanics can be formulated using only real numbers, challenging the long-held assumption that imaginary numbers are fundamental to the theory. Read more: Physicists say quantum mechanics may not need imaginary numbers after all

NASA selects four new Moon missions to build a permanent lunar base

NASA has selected four new lunar missions as part of its Artemis program to establish a permanent lunar base, marking a significant step toward sustainable human presence on the Moon. Read more: NASA selects four new Moon missions to build a permanent lunar base - ScienceDaily

Stephen Hawking's black hole laws just got a major upgrade

Researchers have developed a new mathematical framework that allows the laws of thermodynamics to be applied to real, evolving black holes rather than only idealized stable ones, potentially improving our understanding of black hole mergers, evaporation, and gravitational wave detections. Read more: Stephen Hawking's black hole laws just got a major upgrade

NASA's Hubble Discovers First of Star Cluster's Missing Black Holes

Astronomers have identified the first stellar-mass black hole within Omega Centauri, the Milky Way's largest globular cluster, using data from the Hubble Space Telescope and supporting observations from the James Webb Space Telescope. Read more: NASA's Hubble Discovers First of Star Cluster's Missing Black Holes

NASA begins stacking rocket ahead of 2027 Artemis III astronaut launch (photos)

NASA has commenced stacking the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket at Kennedy Space Center for the Artemis III mission, which aims to return astronauts to the lunar surface in 2027. Read more: NASA begins stacking rocket ahead of 2027 Artemis III astronaut launch (photos) - Space

Giant space mirror approved to test sunlight on demand

The Federal Communications Commission has approved a test of a giant space mirror designed to reflect sunlight from orbit, despite warnings that the experiment could potentially harm ecosystems, people, and scientific research. Read more: Giant space mirror approved to test sunlight on demand

OSIRIS-REx Sample Analysis Reveals Asteroid Bennu's Fiery and Icy Origins

NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission, which successfully returned samples from asteroid Bennu in 2023, continues to yield insights into the early solar system. Scientists analyzing the collected material have discovered that Bennu's composition reflects a complex formation history involving both fiery and icy conditions. The samples contain minerals

Direct Oral Anticoagulants Show Significant Stroke Prevention Benefit in Atrial Fibrillation Patients

Study Highlights Potential for Wider Anticoagulant Use Patients with atrial fibrillation face an elevated risk of stroke, and managing this risk often involves anticoagulant medications. A new randomized clinical trial called SINGLE-AF has now provided robust evidence supporting the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in a patient population that

CRISPR Gene Therapy Shows Durable Cholesterol Reduction in Phase 2 Trial

Experimental CRISPR Therapy Achieves Year-Long Cholesterol Reduction A single injection of an experimental CRISPR gene-editing therapy has produced substantial and lasting reductions in "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides in patients with challenging-to-treat lipid disorders. The findings come from a Phase 2 clinical trial, where researchers observed that a