science-and-technology7.375 min read
Stanford, SLAC Lead AI-Driven Genesis Mission Projects Across Energy, Biology, and Physics
2 days ago•Source: Stanford Report
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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.
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Cleaning up Earth's orbital clutter: a three-front plan to tame space debris
The Conversation•24 days ago
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SpaceX Falcon 9 set to light up Phoenix sky on July 1
Phoenix New Times•24 days ago
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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).
Artemis II uncovers evidence the Moon isn’t dead after all
After Artemis II’s lunar flyby and splashdown, onboard instruments detected a transient outgassing event near the Aristarchus Plateau that thickened the Moon’s exosphere and produced a faint glow, complemented by spikes in noble gases. If verified, this could be the strongest evidence yet of present-day lunar activity, guiding future landers and missions to study lunar volatiles and surface processes.
Christina Koch’s Moon Mission Homecoming Sparks Viral Dog Reunion
Astronaut Christina Koch returns to Earth after the Artemis II moon mission, and a heartwarming reunion with her dog Sadie—captured on video and widely shared online—became a viral moment, highlighting both the mission’s milestone and the emotional side of space travel.
Sugar Substitutes Under Scrutiny: Do They Really Help Health?
New research questions whether sugar substitutes truly deliver health benefits; despite being marketed to cut calories and prevent tooth decay, emerging evidence suggests potential downsides and calls for long-term studies to weigh risks and benefits.
Brain-on-a-chip tackles Doom, hinting at a new era of computing
Australian startup Cortical Labs wired 200,000 human brain cells onto a silicon chip to play Doom, building on Pong experiments as it pitches biological computers that could someday sit in data centers alongside traditional silicon chips for far greater energy efficiency.