For years, physicists struggled to unravel a profound mystery: why certain particles, like protons, possess mass, while photons, the particles of light, do not. Understanding this phenomenon was crucial for grasping the origins of planets and galaxies. A leading theory suggested an interaction with an invisible field, the Higgs field. However, proving its existence required...
A U.S. and Russian space crew landed safely in Kazakhstan’s steppes on Sunday after an eight-month stay at the International Space Station. NASA astronaut Chris Williams, along with Russian cosmonauts Sergei Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev, returned to Earth aboard their Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft. The landing, cushioned by parachutes, occurred at a designated area southeast of...
What Are Mass Extinction Events? Mass extinction events refer to periods in Earth’s history when significant, widespread, and relatively rapid losses of biodiversity occurred. These events have dramatically reshaped ecosystems, wiping out a large percentage of species in a short time. The Five Major Mass Extinctions Over Earth’s history, scientists have identified five major mass...
By: Updated on July 24, 2026, at 8:44 PM EDT SpaceX successfully launched its thirteenth Super Heavy-Starship rocket. The massive booster achieved an on-target but “hard” splashdown off the Texas Gulf Coast, while the Starship upper stage completed a sub-orbital hop to the Indian Ocean. This 397-foot-tall two-stage rocket, powered by 33 methane-fueled Raptor engines,...
Orcas exhibit unexpected behaviors. Recently, two cases revealed orcas ramming sunfish so hard that the fish disintegrate. This startling act was documented in a new study. Off Cabo San Lucas, Kathryn Ayres from Beneath The Waves, observed one orca holding a sunfish while another charged at it, scattering bits of sunfish. This ‘stabilize-and-ram’ behavior was...
For the first time, a Chinese woman has been awarded the Fields Medal, the most prestigious mathematics prize. This achievement raises the total number of Chinese-born Fields Medal recipients to three, as two mathematicians from China won medals this year. Often likened to the Nobel Prize in mathematics, Fields Medals are given every four years...
The Colorado River diversion has become a pivotal factor in environmental concerns, particularly affecting greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions have contributed to drying out the Southwest. Consequently, decision-makers are pushing for accelerated diversion efforts. A view of Glen Canyon Dam, March 27, 2026. (Mark Henle/The Republic With Aer/USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect) At the...
NASA’s Ambitious Lunar Plans NASA is working hard to make a long-term human presence on the moon a reality. In May, they unveiled plans for a Moon Base near the lunar South Pole. This project aims to establish a lasting human presence on the lunar surface. NASA also announced collaborations for lunar exploration, including contracts...
For many years, I avoided using my porch during summer due to the constant presence of mosquitoes. However, I’ve recently discovered an interesting approach to control these pests. This method has significantly reduced mosquito populations on several islands in the Philippines and the Maldives. The technique has even seen success in a town in Maryland,...
Each spring, tens of millions of monarch butterflies embark on an astonishing migration from Mexico to the United States. These butterflies, having spent winter in the forests of a remote mountain in Mexico, begin their northward journey. Once born in Canada and the northern U.S., they have been undertaking this journey for thousands of years....