New Scientist Space - Space Headlines
Extreme heat is driving dramatic declines in tropical birds
The numbers of many tropical birds are plummeting, and now it has been shown that heat extremes intensified by global warming are the biggest factor driving these declines
Categories: Astronomy
Mathematicians have worked out the optimal strategy for Guess Who?
The quickest way to win the board game Guess Who? involves asking sneaky questions that involve a logical paradox, according to mathematicians
Categories: Astronomy
Oddly viscous stars could be impersonating black holes
Calculations suggest stars that are very viscous could reflect gravitational waves and produce signals very similar to those produced by black holes
Categories: Astronomy
A planet the size of Saturn could orbit the nearest sun-like star
The James Webb Space Telescope has detected a possible gas giant the size of Saturn in the stellar system nearest our own
Categories: Astronomy
Two sneaky viruses may be messing with honeybee flight
The deformed wing and sacbrood viruses were thought to cause asymptomatic infections in adult bees. But the viruses make the insects fly slower and faster than normal, respectively
Categories: Astronomy
How superheavy chemistry could rearrange the periodic table
In an unprecedentedly precise accelerator experiment, researchers directly observed how some of the heaviest known elements react and form molecules
Categories: Astronomy
Europe could face weeks of 40°C heat in current worst-case scenario
A perfect storm of conditions priming the atmosphere for extreme heat could result in devastating droughts and deadly temperatures lasting for weeks across Europe
Categories: Astronomy
Astronomers gather more clues about interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS
The latest observations of 3I/ATLAS suggest it resembles comets from the outer reaches of our solar system, but may be smaller than initially estimated
Categories: Astronomy
Molecule's tiny quantum jiggle imaged in unprecedented detail
By measuring an 11-atom molecule with a stunningly powerful X-ray laser, researchers have seen the way its atoms make slight, synchronised movements, even when they should be standing still
Categories: Astronomy
Common asthma drug could prevent life-threatening allergic reactions
A single dose of the asthma medication zileuton stopped severe allergic reactions in mice by blocking food allergens from entering the bloodstream
Categories: Astronomy
We’ve discovered the most massive black hole yet
A galaxy billions of light years from Earth houses what may be the most massive black hole in the universe, equivalent to cramming the full mass of a small galaxy into a single object
Categories: Astronomy
Human bones found in Spanish cave show signs of ancient cannibalism
Hundreds of pieces of bone dating from 5700 years ago carry evidence of being processed and eaten by other humans, bolstering the idea that cannibalism was common in the Neolithic period
Categories: Astronomy
How we could explore a black hole with an interstellar nanocraft
An ambitious plan to test extreme physics close to a black hole would involve a space probe weighing only a few grams, travelling at a third of the speed of light
Categories: Astronomy
Laughter therapy really could boost your emotional well-being
Structured interventions that encourage a good giggle, whether they are laughter yoga or clown visits, could have health benefits
Categories: Astronomy
NHS talking therapies seem to be less effective for younger adults
People aged 16 to 24 appear to get less out of NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression than those aged 25 to 65
Categories: Astronomy
What you need to know about mRNA vaccines in light of RFK's claims
The US health secretary is cutting funding for mRNA vaccines because he claims they are less effective than other types – but that is not what the evidence shows
Categories: Astronomy
Human eggs don't accumulate as many mutations with age as we thought
Mitochondrial mutations don't seem to build up in women's eggs as they age, which suggests they may have evolved a mechanism to avoid this
Categories: Astronomy
Cockatoos have an impressively wide repertoire of dance moves
A proclivity for dancing seems to be found in at least 10 species of cockatoo, and the birds will even jive to white noise or a financial podcast
Categories: Astronomy
Key genetic differences found in people with chronic fatigue syndrome
People with chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, appear to have eight genetic signals that differ from those without the condition
Categories: Astronomy
Do the bumps on a bell pepper reveal how sweet it will be? Er, no
Social media influencers are convinced that the number of lobes on the base of a bell pepper give us information about its sex and taste. James Wong debunks this myth with some science
Categories: Astronomy
