Pioneering

This artist’s impression shows how hot, brilliant and high-mass stars evolve. The more massive brighter star expands first, until the outer layers start to strongly feel the gravitational pull of the companion. The companion then starts to suck material from the primary star. When the primary has been stripped from its entire hydrogen-rich envelope it shrinks. Credit: Navid Marvi, courtesy of the Carnegie Institution for ScienceNew findings confirm existence of hot helium stars long-thought to be at the heart of…

In a significant stride towards unravelling the mysteries of the cosmos, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is poised to launch the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) on January 1. Representing India's maiden dedicated polarimeter mission, XPoSat aims to explore the intricate dynamics of luminous astronomical X-ray sources thriving in extreme conditions.Scheduled for liftoff at 9:10 AM, XPoSat will ride the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) into a low earth orbit. Carrying two cutting-edge payloads, this…

The latest advancements in Brain-Machine Interfaces feature functional ultrasound (fUS), a non-invasive technique for reading brain activity. This innovation has shown promising results in controlling devices with minimal delay and without the need for frequent recalibration. Credit: SciTechDaily.comFunctional ultrasound (fUS) marks a significant leap in Brain-Machine Interface technology, offering a less invasive method for precise control of electronic devices by interpreting brain activity.Brain–machine interfaces…

A breakthrough in solar-powered water harvesting uses an innovative gel and system design to efficiently extract water from the atmosphere. This technology could revolutionize water access in arid, sunny regions, meeting critical needs for drinking water and other uses. (Artist’s concept.) Credit: SciTechDaily.com Atmospheric water harvester provides water to arid communities using hygroscopic gel and salts. More than 2.2 billion people currently live in water-stressed countries, and the United Nations estimates that…

Recent research has proven the viability of lightweight, cost-efficient solar panels for space, opening the door to potential solar farms in orbit and marking a significant step in renewable energy technology. (Artist’s concept) New research from the Universities of Surrey and Swansea suggests that it’s viable to create affordable, lightweight solar panels capable of generating power in space. The first study of its kind, which monitored a satellite for six years across 30,000 orbits, examined the panels’ power…

Retired NASA astronaut Mary Cleave, known for her two spaceflights and leadership in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, has died at 76. Her notable achievements include the Magellan Venus mission and numerous NASA awards. (Official NASA portrait of astronaut Mary L. Cleave.) Credit: NASA Mary Cleave, a pioneering NASA astronaut who embarked on two spaceflights and later became the first woman to lead NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, has passed away at 76. She made significant contributions to space exploration,…

An advanced AI system accurately diagnoses autism in young children by analyzing brain MRIs, demonstrating a 98.5% accuracy rate. This innovative technology, developed by a multi-disciplinary team, promises to enhance early detection and treatment of autism, addressing current delays in diagnosis due to limited testing resources.A groundbreaking AI system now diagnoses autism in children under two years old with 98.5% accuracy using brain MRIs, paving the way for earlier, more effective treatment and management of…

After it launches in early 2024, NISAR will scan nearly all of the planet’s land and ice twice every 12 days. In orbit, the satellite will extend its solar panels and nearly 40-foot (12-meter) radar antenna reflector, which resembles a snare drum and will unfold at the end of a 30-foot (9-meter) boom extending from the spacecraft. Credit: NASA-JPL/CaltechDuring three weeks in a thermal vacuum chamber in Bengaluru, India, the joint NASA-ISRO satellite demonstrated its hardiness in a harsh, space-like environment.NISAR, the…

In a paradigm-shifting move, Rocket Lab, a private aerospace company, is breaking new ground in planetary exploration. Departing from traditional government-led endeavours through NASA and other agencies, Rocket Lab is set to launch the first private mission to study Venus in search of microbial life, challenging the notion that interplanetary exploration requires astronomical budgets and government backing.CEO Peter Beck envisions a departure from the norm, stating, “A private company going to another planet for some…

At the start of the Chilean documentary The Eternal Memory, a woman asks her husband, who has Alzheimer’s, if he likes his life. He beams back at her. “I love life.” The couple will be instantly recognisable to audiences in Chile. He is Augusto Góngora, a journalist who was part of an underground television news service during the Pinochet dictatorship. Out on the streets he filmed the reality of life under military rule – at huge personal risk. The group’s bulletins, recorded on VHS tapes, were passed from house to house…