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Science News Today

Here's a roundup of today's top science stories covering climate research, space exploration, and medical technology breakthroughs.

Hidden Climate Threat in Soil

A 37-year study reveals that warming soil causes microbes to break down previously stable carbon, releasing additional CO2 and potentially accelerating global warming.

Sugar Detected in Interstellar Space

Scientists have detected the sugar glycolaldehyde in interstellar space for the first time, providing new evidence that the basic building blocks of life may form naturally in the cosmos before being delivered to early Earth.

First X-Rays Captured in Space

Scientists have successfully captured the first X-ray images ever taken in space, demonstrating that medical imaging technology can function beyond Earth's atmosphere and could support healthcare for astronauts on future moon missions.

NASA Advances Moon and Mars Tech

NASA has selected 41 space technologies to advance its plans for exploring the Moon and Mars, signaling continued progress in developing capabilities needed for deep space missions.

Humanoid Robots Perform Live Surgery

Researchers have demonstrated humanoid robots conducting live surgery, marking a significant milestone in surgical robotics and autonomous medical procedures.

Starlink Satellites Dodge Collisions Weekly

SpaceX's Starlink constellation performed over 355,000 collision avoidance maneuvers in a single year, with each satellite now dodging debris or other objects almost weekly, raising concerns among space traffic experts about the sustainability of dense low-Earth orbit operations.

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