Science

A spectacular celestial event is set to unfold in February 2025, as five of the brightest planets—Venus, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury and Saturn—become visible together in the evening sky. The alignment will peak on February 24, when Mercury and Saturn will appear closest to each other, creating a striking visual near the horizon. Skywatchers with a

A compact neutrino detector has successfully identified antineutrinos at a nuclear power plant, marking a significant advancement in particle physics. Unlike conventional detectors that require massive infrastructure, this device weighs less than three kilograms. Despite its size, it effectively detected antineutrinos emitted from a nuclear reactor in Leibstadt, Switzerland. The experiment, which lasted 119 days,

Baboons in their natural habitat have been observed looking at their reflections in mirrors but failing to recognise themselves. Despite reacting to a visible dot on their arms or legs, the primates showed little to no response when a laser dot was projected onto their faces while they were in front of a mirror. The

The presence of organic molecules on the dwarf planet Ceres has been reassessed using AI analysis of data gathered by NASA’s Dawn spacecraft. Scientists have mapped regions rich in these compounds to determine whether they originated within Ceres or were delivered from external sources. Previously, it was believed that cryovolcanic activity on Ceres transported these

NASA and its international collaborators have finalised the crew for Axiom Space’s fourth private astronaut mission, set to launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft no earlier than spring 2025. The mission, departing from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, will see four astronauts spending up to 14 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The

The pace of ocean warming has intensified significantly over the past four decades, with recent data highlighting a quadrupling of heat absorption rates. This shift points to an acceleration in climate change, as oceans act as the planet’s primary heat sink. Researchers warn that if fossil fuel dependency continues, warming is expected to increase at

A near-Earth object recently classified as an asteroid has been identified as Elon Musk’s Tesla Roadster, which was launched into space in 2018 aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. The object was mistakenly listed as a new near-Earth asteroid by the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Center (MPC) on January 2, before the classification was

A new research study has examined the mathematical principles governing creativity and innovation, shedding light on how novel ideas emerge. By analysing data across different domains, researchers have identified patterns that could refine the understanding of how individuals and societies generate new concepts. The study investigates two types of novelty—discovering an entirely new element and

A team of researchers has observed an ultra-diffuse galaxy, FCC 224, uncovering an unusual system of globular clusters. The galaxy, located in the Fornax cluster approximately 65 million light-years away, has been found to host luminous and overmassive globular clusters. The study, conducted using the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and supported by spectroscopic data from

A recent analysis of lunar surface features has challenged long-standing assumptions about the moon’s geological dormancy. Findings indicate that small ridges on the far side of the moon may have formed within the last 200 million years, suggesting that tectonic processes are still at play. The study’s conclusions point to ongoing activity beneath the lunar

A sample from asteroid Bennu, delivered to Earth by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission in 2023, has revealed a collection of molecules and minerals that play a fundamental role in biological processes. Organic compounds such as amino acids, nucleobases, and ammonia, along with minerals formed in saltwater, have been identified. The findings suggest that the necessary conditions

A major development in stem cell science has been achieved with the creation of a bi-paternal mouse, marking a significant step in reproductive biology. Scientists have successfully engineered a mouse with two male biological parents, which managed to survive into adulthood. This research, conducted by a team of stem cell experts, has addressed longstanding barriers

Blue Origin’s uncrewed New Shepard rocket is expected to launch its NS-29 mission on January 31, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. EST from Launch Site One in West Texas. The mission aims to test 30 experiments, primarily for NASA, which are designed to advance technologies for lunar exploration. The flight will include a unique manoeuvre that

The remains of a young pregnant woman, who lived approximately 1,200 years ago during the Manteño period in Ecuador, have been unearthed by archaeologists. Her grave contained a striking combination of artifacts and evidence of violent death, which has led researchers to suspect ritual sacrifice. The discovery was made at the Buen Suceso site, where

Microscopic organisms, discovered in the tropical peatlands of Peru’s northwestern Amazon, have been identified as playing a significant role in influencing Earth’s climate. Researchers, in collaboration with local institutions, have revealed how these microbes contribute to the carbon cycle in ways that could either mitigate or intensify climate change. Found in waterlogged and oxygen-deprived conditions,

Astronauts returning from extended space missions are reported to experience significant changes in eye health, linked to prolonged exposure to microgravity. Researchers have identified that the altered blood flow and pressure conditions in space can lead to vision problems. These changes are primarily associated with a condition termed spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS), affecting around 70

The bright protostar T Tauri, situated 471 light-years away in the Taurus constellation, is expected to vanish from view for decades. This dimming phenomenon, triggered by a thick disk of gas and dust surrounding its companion stars, could last up to a century. Astronomers have been observing this system, comprising three growing stars, for decades

Researchers have achieved a milestone in quantum computing by integrating 1,024 silicon-based quantum dots with digital and analog on-chip electronics, all operating at cryogenic temperatures below 1 Kelvin. This innovation is expected to advance the development of scalable quantum computing systems, which have long faced challenges in balancing scalability, performance, and energy efficiency. The integration

A significant portion of Central Europe’s highly productive agricultural land has already experienced a decline due to climate-driven changes, with further challenges expected in the coming decades. Shifting climate patterns have led to the expansion of dry and hot conditions unsuitable for traditional crop cultivation, resulting in a notable shift of fertile zones towards the

India’s journey toward human space exploration marked a critical step with the dispatch of the Crew Module for the first uncrewed mission under the Gaganyaan project. The module, integrated with a liquid propulsion system at the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Bengaluru, has been sent to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This

A groundbreaking discovery in graphene research has unveiled a new class of quantum states in a precisely engineered structure. Scientists from the University of British Columbia (UBC), the University of Washington, and Johns Hopkins University identified topological electronic crystals in a twisted bilayer–trilayer graphene system. The structure was created by stacking two-dimensional graphene layers with

Evidence of hominin activity has been discovered in Romania, dating back approximately 1.95 million years, significantly altering the timeline of human presence in Europe. Fossil remains, found at the Grăunceanu site in the Olteț River Valley, have provided the earliest known proof of hominin activity in the region. This discovery indicates that early humans reached

SpaceX marked a significant achievement during the launch of 27 Starlink satellites from California on January 21, 2025. The mission, conducted from Vandenberg Space Force Base, witnessed the Falcon 9 rocket completing a successful return of its first stage to a drone ship positioned at sea. This marked the 400th orbital-class rocket landing for the

A new category of magnetism, identified as “altermagnetism,” has been discovered, potentially unlocking new advancements in superconducting materials and magnetic memory devices. This development, made by researchers using advanced imaging techniques, highlights how altermagnetism bridges the gap between two previously established types of magnetism. This breakthrough could lead to faster and more secure data storage

In mid-January 2025, comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) was observed as it approached within 8 million miles of the Sun, offering a stunning display recorded by the ESA and NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). The spacecraft captured images of the comet brightening and its tail extending dramatically as it passed through the Sun’s intense environment.

China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), referred to as the “artificial sun,” has achieved a new milestone in nuclear fusion research. The reactor maintained a continuous loop of plasma for 1,066 seconds, surpassing its previous record of 403 seconds. This breakthrough, reported on January 20, 2025, represents a significant step towards realising nuclear fusion as

Two NASA rocket missions are set to explore the mysteries of auroras, aiming to uncover why they flicker, pulsate, or feature dark patches. These rockets, part of NASA’s effort to understand Earth’s space environment, will launch from Poker Flat Research Range in Fairbanks, Alaska, starting January 21, 2025. The findings could contribute to protecting astronauts

A paralysed individual, aged 69, has successfully piloted a virtual drone using a brain-computer interface (BCI) that interprets neural signals. This innovative achievement has enabled the participant to navigate a video-game obstacle course by imagining specific finger movements. The breakthrough device, which bridges brain activity and real-time control, demonstrates potential applications for assisting those with

The nutritional reliance on small carnivores by early hunter-gatherer societies in the Levant has been highlighted through recent archaeological discoveries. A series of excavations at the Early Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (EPPNB) site of Aḥihud, located in present-day Israel, has revealed the widespread use of red foxes, wildcats, and other small carnivores for meat and fur.

A rare and exceptionally well-preserved Corinthian helmet, believed to have been used by Greek hoplite warriors, is set to go under the hammer later this month in London. Crafted from bronze and dating back to between 500 and 450 B.C., the helmet showcases the artistry of ancient Greek warfare. Such helmets, designed to cover most

A recently identified process occurring in the ocean’s darkest depths has prompted researchers to launch a mission to better understand its implications. Reports reveal that metal nodules on the seafloor might generate oxygen in the absence of sunlight. This unexpected discovery could have significant implications for understanding life in extreme environments, both on Earth and

Direct soil carbon measurement techniques are being explored as a method to improve accuracy in carbon credit markets, especially in agriculture. Measuring stored soil carbon rather than relying on predictive models can provide solid data on the effectiveness of climate-smart agricultural practices. It is believed that this method will enhance the reliability of carbon credits,

The Hubble Space Telescope has captured an extraordinary view of the Orion Nebula, the closest star-forming region to Earth, located approximately 1,500 light-years away. This new image highlights protostars HOPS 150 and HOPS 153, which are playing a significant role in reshaping their surrounding environment. The nebula, visible to the naked eye near the constellation