Science News: Space Station Ambitions, Ancient DNA Breakthroughs, and Cosmic Discoveries
China plans to double the size of its Tiangong space station while the ISS nears its end
China announced plans to add three new modules and a space telescope to its Tiangong space station, positioning it as a potential long-term successor to the aging International Space Station. Read more: China plans to double the size of its Tiangong space station while the ISS nears its end
NASA's canceled Artemis hardware contracts reached $5.9 billion, audit finds
A NASA Office of Inspector General audit has found that the agency spent approximately $5.9 billion on Artemis program hardware that may never be used, with significant cost overruns and timeline extensions identified across canceled contracts. Read more: NASA's canceled Artemis hardware contracts reached $5.9 billion, audit finds
Ancient human DNA found on cave art for the first time
Researchers have successfully recovered ancient human DNA from prehistoric cave paintings and cave walls, a technique that could eventually allow scientists to identify individual artists and help settle debates about Neanderthal artistic capabilities. Read more: Ancient human DNA found on cave art for the first time
Einstein Probe may have caught a black hole tearing apart a white dwarf for the first time
Astronomers using China's Einstein Probe space telescope may have detected an intermediate-mass black hole shredding and consuming a white dwarf star—an event that would mark the first direct observation of this rare cosmic phenomenon, characterized by unusual X-ray flashes distinct from typical gamma-ray bursts. Read more: Einstein Probe may have caught a black hole tearing apart a white dwarf for the first time
New solid-state material converts sunlight into higher-energy UV light
Researchers have developed a solid-state material capable of converting visible sunlight into higher-energy ultraviolet light, a long-sought capability that could enable cleaner air purification, solar-driven chemical synthesis, and advanced manufacturing—all powered by natural sunlight. Read more: New solid-state material converts sunlight into higher-energy UV light
Scientists stunned by signs of ancient life in a place no one expected
Scientists exploring ancient seafloor rocks in Morocco have found wrinkle patterns typically associated with shallow-water microbial mats, but in rocks that formed hundreds of feet below the surface in complete darkness. The evidence suggests chemosynthetic microbes created these structures, indicating that deep-ocean microbial ecosystems may have been more widespread throughout Earth's history than previously recognized. Read more: Scientists stunned by signs of ancient life in a place no one expected