Science
Are we overfertilizing our fields? Researchers challenge conventional soil testing
A new study led by Dr. Shikma Zaarur of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in collaboration with Dr. Ran Erel of the Agricultural Research Organization–Volcani Institute, reveals…
Molecular dinitrogen anions pave the way for low-temperature ammonia synthesis
While ammonia (NH₃) is best known for its role in fertilizer production, it is attracting attention as a carbon-free hydrogen carrier, potentially offering a practical way to stor…
From wild to mild: Friendly foxes show changes in brain region
Scientists studying the neurology of tame foxes identified changes in a part of the brain that has previously been associated with aggression, according to a new paper that compar…
TB 26-09 Measured Hammer-Tap Inputs
For more information, contact Joel W. Sills, Langley Research Center, joel.w.sills@nasa.gov. Download the PDF version An instrumented hammer test does not require an idealized sin…
A new way to make better use of ruthenium in single-atom catalysts
Ruthenium (Ru) is a valuable metal used in catalysts to speed up chemical reactions in many industrial processes. It can help improve efficiency and reduce the energy needed for c…
Ultrashort laser pulses can slice lab-grown diamond along useful crystal plane
More than just a precious gemstone for jewelry, diamond has properties that make it attractive for several next-generation, high-performance technologies. Its high thermal conduct…
RNA-protein interactions could lead to new coronavirus drug targets
A study co-led by a University of California, Riverside, biomedical scientist has identified new targets for coronavirus antiviral drugs, including treatments that may be less vul…
‘Bookkeeping Trick’ and Fuzzy Math Conceal the Climate Impacts of Beef, Researchers Say
Climate negotiators head to Turkey next month for the United Nations annual climate summit, just two months after an alarming U.N. report said the world has a vanishing chance of …
Stars make oxygen for small galaxies, but they lose most of it
Scientists examining data collected by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have found that dozens of small galaxies contain far less oxygen than their stars are estimated to have produc…
New 'Star Trek: The Original Voyages' book traces the stellar legacy of the bold sci-fi brand
Keep the 60th anniversary party going with this visual salute to the series that launched a legacy
Blood chemistry reveals why some animals bleed blue, green or purple
Whether it's gushing from a bumped nose or pooling atop a pricked finger, our blood is some hue of red. But red-bloodedness isn't universal in the animal kingdom. In some creature…
Predicting jumping genes' roles in changing genome size
A genome contains all of the DNA of every living organism, but its contents don't stop there—most of these structures also contain snippets of DNA that can copy and paste themselv…
Dinosaur blood—oldest discovery rewrites what fossils can reveal about the past
An international research team led by Curtin University has for the first time uncovered unequivocal evidence of fossilized red blood cells and amino acids of collagen, reshaping …
Martian polar crater ice shifts with seasonal frost
Mars shares many landforms and weather patterns with Earth, including changing seasons, volcanoes, canyons, dust storms, dust devils and water ice. Another feature that Earth and …
Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.8 II EVO FE (APO) lens review — how good is this budget lens for astrophotography?
The Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.8 II FE (APO) is an inexpensive prime that works well for astrophotography thanks to its focal length and maximum aperture.
NASA’s CHAPEA Crew “Returns” to Earth
The four-member Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) crew poses outside for the first time in more than a year following the end of their simulated Mars journey…
Scientists build whole-Earth simulation to help find life on other planets
It's a dizzyingly busy time for scientists searching for life on distant planets. To date, astronomers have cataloged more than 6,000 planets beyond our solar system and are searc…
Zombies are real—just ask the parasites taking over the bodies and brains of insects and rodents
Zombies have taken many forms in popular culture. In Michael Jackson's "Thriller" music video, corpses climb out of their graves and perform an impressively coordinated dance. In …
Study reveals how coral-associated bacteria help corals survive extreme heat
A new study from NYU Abu Dhabi has revealed how coral-associated bacteria help corals withstand extreme heat by producing steroid hormones that strengthen their immune response.
Experiment supports theoretical foundation for potentially more error-resistant quantum computing
One approach to making information storage in quantum computing less prone to errors is known as topological quantum computing. It relies on special quantum states that are expect…
A CRISPR gene boost reduces seizures and strengthens muscles in mice
Some genetic diseases leave cells without a crucial protein. One possible treatment is to persuade genes already inside those cells to work harder, but the necessary machinery can…
What’s Up: November 2026 Skywatching Tips from NASA
Meteor Showers, a Spacecraft Milestone, and a Supermoon Catch Taurid and Leonid meteors, spot Mars near Jupiter, celebrate Voyager 1’s light-day milestone, and watch November’s su…
Lysosomes, the cell's 'recycling centers,' found to help control heart rhythm
Scientists have discovered that lysosomes, structures traditionally viewed as the cell's recycling centers, also play a role in regulating the heart's natural rhythm. Researchers …
400,000-year-old fossilized termite nests named after Little Karoo town
University of Cape Town (UCT) researchers recently named a series of approximately 400,000-year-old fossilized underground nests of an extinct termite species after Calitzdorp, th…