Science news

The director of the Israel Space Agency concludes his tenure, a Chinese experiment successfully simulates a lunar landing, the upgraded configuration of the Vulcan rocket lifts off for the first time, and a promising exoplanet is revealed to be a cosmic disappointment.

A large British study suggests that drinking milk may lower the risk of colon cancer, with calcium in milk appearing to be the key protective factor.

A new Israeli Space Center initiative, policies shift around private space stations, discoveries of complex molecules in a planet-forming system, and a veteran astronaut retires.

A new deep-sea submersible, combined with early forecasting of volcanic activity in the Pacific Ocean, enabled scientists to document magma emerging from deep within the Earth and study its impact on the ecology in the ocean’s abyss.

A new study shows that high aerobic fitness doesn’t just guard against heart disease and cancer—it also lowers the risk of dying from a range of other chronic illnesses. The exact biological mechanism remains unclear, but the evidence underscores the far-reaching benefits of staying active.

Observations from the James Webb Space Telescope point to the existence of a Saturn-like planet orbiting Alpha Centauri A — a Sun-like star in the nearest stellar system to Earth.

Israeli bacteria head to the ISS, Australia faces a rocket setback, Pakistan launches a new satellite, and satellite design with artificial intelligence

A new study reveals that despite being silenced, the “extra” X chromosome in females is actually partially active and may play a role in protecting the brain from age-related changes.

Israeli researchers have developed a combined mRNA vaccine targeting Yersinia pestis, the bacterium responsible for the plague. In preclinical trials, the vaccine demonstrated high efficacy in protecting mice from the disease.

Disappointment as the continuation of the Israeli experiment to photograph sprite lightning from space comes back empty-handed, another delay for Boeing’s spacecraft, a travel record on Mars, and the birth of new planets. This Week in Space

Dr. Shimrit Maman has been appointed chair of the Israel Space Agency — the first woman to hold the position following three male predecessors.
“At this time, we are facing significant challenges,” said Maman upon her appointment.

Ten Israeli startups are taking part in a Creation-Space initiative to develop space technologies, leveraging their innovations for improving sustainability on Earth

For the first time, researchers have documented the very beginning of planet formation around a young, distant star—a discovery that could shed new light on the early history of our own Solar System.

The U.S. Air Force has canceled an intriguing space experiment, while new research reveals surprising details about the ocean beneath Enceladus’s icy surface. This Week in Space

Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have identified a previously unknown moon orbiting Uranus. With an estimated diameter of just ten kilometers, this small celestial body increases the known count of Uranian moons to 29.

Israeli astronaut Eytan Stibbe was appointed Honorary President of the International Space University, a hidden companion star has been found near Betelgeuse, and ESA has successfully tested the massive parachutes for its future Mars rover. This Week in Space.

Equipped with the largest digital camera ever built, the Vera Rubin Observatory in Chile is poised to capture wide-field images of the sky with unparalleled detail and depth.

An environmental satellite mysteriously fell silent, a nuclear spacecraft project was canceled and six more tourists visited the edge of space. This Week in Space.

Can a common virus help trigger Alzheimer’s disease? A recent study reveals a striking connection between head injuries, the herpes virus, and neurodegenerative brain disorders—offering new insight and a potential avenue for future treatments.

Private astronauts arrived at the International Space Station, continuing a long-standing Israeli research initiative. A European spacecraft was lost during reentry, a U.S. solar probe completed another close pass by the Sun, and a new telescope began its mission to map the skies. This Week in Space

An embarrassing malfunction for SpaceX, the U.S. revives its “Star Wars” defense ambitions, and China refuels satellites in orbit. This Week in Space

Rare documentation of a planet in an unusual planetary system, a delay in a private mission, and a successful launch by Rocket Lab. This Week in Space

A Japanese spacecraft failed in its Moon landing attempt, a new European telescope designed to detect dangerous asteroids, and new research questions whether a galactic collision is truly inevitable. This Week in Space

An Israeli study suggests a new way to detect life on Jupiter’s moon Europa. A new dwarf planet has been identified at the edge of the solar system. China launches a mission to collect asteroid samples, and Starship makes slow progress, despite a fiery end. This Week in Space