science-and-technology3.675 min read
Underground xenon detector hints at possible dark-matter signal
3 days ago•Source: Al Jazeera
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4.325 min•1 month ago
SpaceX rocket stage slams into the Moon after drifting for a year
A four-ton second stage from a SpaceX Falcon 9 mission launched in January 2025 drifted through space for about a year and is expected to crash into the Moon (likely Einstein Crater on the western limb) around 2:35 a.m. ET, traveling ~5,400 mph. The impact will be hard to observe from Earth, and NASA/SpaceX note the crash was unintentional. The event highlights ongoing concerns about space debris and disposal, as scientists await confirmation via telescope imagery and discussions continue on preventing future lunar impacts as Artemis-era plans progress.
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Rockets at the Equator: The Real Physics Behind Launch Sites
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Stanford, SLAC Lead AI-Driven Genesis Mission Projects Across Energy, Biology, and Physics
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Mescaline Dampens the Brain’s Gatekeeper, Hinting at Hallucinations
Northeastern researchers using MRI in rodents show mescaline uniquely dampens the cerebellum—the brain’s sensory filter—while increasing cross-brain connectivity, potentially driving hallucinatory experiences and linking to sensory-disruption seen in some psychiatric conditions; findings differ from LSD/psilocybin and point to translational steps toward human studies and clinical relevance.
Prospector’s Rock Turns Out to Be a 17‑kg Meteorite From the Solar System’s Dawn
A metal-detecting prospector found a dense reddish rock in Maryborough Regional Park in 2015 that resisted cutting with a saw, acid, drill, and even a sledgehammer. Identified in 2018 by geologists at the Melbourne Museum as a 17‑kilogram ordinary H5 chondrite meteorite dating to about 4.6 billion years ago, it formed at the dawn of the Solar System and likely came from the asteroid belt. Diamond cutting revealed tiny chondrules inside, confirming its extraterrestrial origin and making it rarer than gold.
Cleaning up Earth's orbital clutter: a three-front plan to tame space debris
About 13,486 tonnes of debris orbit Earth, with tens of thousands of pieces larger than 10 cm, risking collisions that could trigger a cascading Kessler syndrome and threaten satellites and crewed missions. The article advocates a three-pronged approach: (1) technology and design changes, including active debris removal methods (nets, magnets, tethers, harpoons) and more durable or disposable satellites (even testing wood as a spacecraft material); (2) policy shifts like stricter end-of-life disposal (five-year rule) and stronger space traffic management and debris-mitigation standards; (3) a shift in thinking—treating space as an interconnected environment with ethical obligations, not a limitless frontier. It also notes the rising impact of mega-constellations on debris and ongoing international efforts to reduce risks.
SpaceX Falcon 9 set to light up Phoenix sky on July 1
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base to deploy Starlink satellites, with a viewing window of 7–11 p.m. on July 1; observers in the Phoenix area should look south to southeast to see a bright streak and contrail as the rocket passes, and you can watch the live feed on X/@SpaceX.
Ketamine's Second Act: A Fast-Acting Hope for Depression and PTSD
A feature exploring how ketamine, once a club drug, is being repurposed to treat depression and PTSD, offering rapid relief for some patients while raising questions about long-term safety, access, and regulatory oversight as clinics expand and norms around use evolve.
Bronze Bottle in 2,300-Year-Old Qin Tomb Reveals Ancient Beer
A bronze bottle found in tomb M39 near the Shanjiabao cemetery, about 1.5 km from the Great Wall of Qin, preserved residues of a 2,300-year-old beer. Molecular analysis detected malted grains and yeasts, suggesting a fermented beverage used in funerary rituals; the liquid contained more than 2,400 compounds and was thicker than modern beer, akin to a fermented porridge, offering insights into Qin-era fermentation techniques and cereal use.
AI in biotech sparks biosecurity debate: can safeguards keep pace?
AI-based biology tools can design proteins, toxins, and even viruses, prompting debate over safeguards: some researchers say current risk is limited and production requires expertise, while others warn AI could empower bad actors. The discussion spans whether to restrict biological AI or to improve detection and screening of DNA orders; experiments show screening can be bypassed but improvements reduce risk. Policy efforts such as DNA-synthesis screening, guard rails, and international guidelines are evolving as scientists push for responsible AI practices, acknowledging the threat is serious but not inevitable.
Nano-coating cools roofs and harvests water from the air
Australian researchers have developed a nanoengineered cooling paint that uses passive radiative cooling to reflect most of the sun, keeping rooftops cooler and reducing building energy use, while also condensing moisture from humid air to harvest water. Early field tests showed solar reflectivity up to 96% and roof temperatures up to 6°C cooler than the surrounding air, with a Sydney trial suggesting up to 34% in cooling energy savings. In trials on a 200 m2 roof, about 74 liters of water per day were harvested. The paint is being considered for commercialization, but durability, performance in cloudy weather, upfront costs, and the lack of standardized testing remain challenges.”,
Healthy longevity hinges on beating chronic disease, not aging gadgets
CNN argues that extending healthy life may depend as much on preventing chronic disease as on aging‑themed tech; while CRISPR gene editing and mRNA vaccines offer promising avenues against aging‑linked diseases, both remain early‑stage. In the meantime, proven prevention—Mediterranean diet, regular aerobic and strength training, adequate sleep, and social connection—can add healthy years now.
Vatican Observatory Names Four Asteroids, Highlighting Pope Leo XIII
The Vatican Observatory announced four asteroids named after important figures in its history, including Pope Leo XIII who re-founded the institute in 1891. The names were based on discoveries with the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope and approved by the IAU's Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature (WGSBN).