Science 20 January 2026 - 7 May 2026

Geospace Rallied in Holiday Week; Monday Test Still Looms
····

Geospace Rallied in Holiday Week; Monday Test Still Looms

Geospace Technologies Corp. finished the shortened week up, even after dropping 4.49% Friday to close at $8.30. Shares traded between $8.21 and $8.57 on the day, with about 133,000 shares changing hands. For the week, the seismic and smart-water technology stock climbed about 2.5% from last Friday’s $8.10 close. It's relevant now because this move followed a tough financial update from earlier in May, not any new catalyst from the company. The market is weighing Geospace's cost reductions and work on new projects against ongoing weak demand in smart-water and continued cash burn.
June 1, 2026
Greenland Ice Melt Is Surging Sixfold — Why Scientists Say Sea-Level Risk Is Rising
···

Greenland Ice Melt Is Surging Sixfold — Why Scientists Say Sea-Level Risk Is Rising

Barcelona—May 7, 2026, 21:04 CEST. Greenland’s ice sheet is now seeing extreme meltwater production at a pace six times higher than in 1990, according to new research led by the University of Barcelona. Nearly all the most intense melt events have happened since 2000, the study reports. Published in Nature Communications, the findings show that extreme summer melt episodes have grown in frequency, scale, and intensity.
May 7, 2026
3I/ATLAS Just Gave Scientists a Rare Look Inside an Interstellar Comet
···

3I/ATLAS Just Gave Scientists a Rare Look Inside an Interstellar Comet

MAUNAKEA, Hawaii, May 6, 2026, 12:04 HST A group led by Yoshiharu Shinnaka at Kyoto Sangyo University spotted fresh evidence of chemical changes in 3I/ATLAS, the interstellar comet, after it swung close to the Sun—suggesting what’s under the surface doesn’t necessarily match what’s on top. The observations came from the Subaru Telescope on Maunakea, according to a Wednesday piece in Big Island Now.
May 7, 2026
Chernobyl Fungus Back in Focus as DARPA and Space Claims Revive Radiation-Eating Debate
···

Chernobyl Fungus Back in Focus as DARPA and Space Claims Revive Radiation-Eating Debate

On March 27, ScienceAlert updated its November 2025 piece about the black fungus found at Chernobyl, prompting 19FortyFive and Brazil's Click Oil and Gas to weigh in with stories that leaned into military and space themes. The core science—Cladosporium sphaerospermum does exist and draws attention for its strange properties. Still, the central idea that’s been making the rounds hasn’t been nailed down: so far, nobody’s demonstrated a clear mechanism for the fungus to convert ionizing radiation into usable energy. The revival comes as actual defense and space initiatives gather momentum. DARPA is pushing space-manufacturing projects toward a 2026 launch, and a 2020 Defense Threat Reduction Agency study looked at coaching black fungi to detect radiation. Current coverage mostly weaves these
March 28, 2026
NASA Satellite Re-entry Alert: Van Allen Probe A’s Final Descent Carries Low Risk
···

NASA Satellite Re-entry Alert: Van Allen Probe A’s Final Descent Carries Low Risk

NASA’s most recent tracking for the retired Van Allen Probe A indicated re-entry wouldn’t happen until after midnight U.S. Eastern time on Wednesday, throwing last-minute uncertainty over when the spacecraft might finally come down. Most of the 1,323-pound probe is expected to incinerate in the atmosphere, according to NASA, but there’s a chance some parts could make it through. The re-entry window has drifted from NASA’s original Tuesday night estimate, and it’s still broad—a reminder of the challenges tracking the descent of an old satellite during an active solar cycle. This wraps up a mission whose data is still in use, helping researchers analyze space weather—NASA’s catchall for solar phenomena that affect satellites, astronauts, communications, navigation, and even Earth’s power
March 11, 2026
NASA Satellite Crash Alert: Van Allen Probe A Set for Earth Re-Entry With Low Risk to People
···

NASA Satellite Crash Alert: Van Allen Probe A Set for Earth Re-Entry With Low Risk to People

NASA on Tuesday said its Van Allen Probe A, out of commission, was projected to plunge back through Earth's atmosphere at about 7:45 p.m. EDT. A few pieces could make it all the way down, but the odds of anything causing harm are still low. The satellite, launched in 2012, tips the scales at around 1,323 pounds. The re-entry is in the spotlight, with forecasts offering only a broad time frame and no set landing zone for any fragments that might survive. The lack of a designated target comes as worries mount over debris in congested orbits. NASA told Scientific American there’s “no targeted area” for any pieces that could make it through.
March 10, 2026
Haleon PLC’s Centrum Silver May Slow Biological Aging, Nature Medicine Study Finds
···

Haleon PLC’s Centrum Silver May Slow Biological Aging, Nature Medicine Study Finds

Haleon’s Centrum Silver multivitamin showed a slight slowdown in biological aging markers among older adults, according to an ancillary analysis from the COSMOS trial, detailed in a Nature Medicine paper published Monday. The findings land as a scientific boost for the British consumer health group’s flagship brand. Timing counts for Haleon. Back on Feb. 25, the company set its sights on 2026 organic revenue growth between 3% and 5% — that’s excluding currency effects and recent acquisitions — after soft U.S. demand and aggressive price moves from competitors took a bite out of sales. “The squeeze is apparent even in over-the-counter medicines,” noted Chris Beckett at Quilter Cheviot.
March 9, 2026
AI tool aims to match dinosaur footprints to the animals that made them, study says
···

AI tool aims to match dinosaur footprints to the animals that made them, study says

Scientists have created an AI technique designed to pinpoint which dinosaur made a specific fossil footprint, addressing a persistent challenge in paleontology. Their study, featured in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, breaks down tracks into eight consistent traits for comparison across different sites. https://www.reuters.com/science/new-ai-method-helps-identify-which-dinosaur-made-which-footprints-2026-02-06/?utm_source=chatgpt.com Timing is key since footprints rank among the most common dinosaur fossils, frequently appearing without any bones or teeth close by. But depending on the animal’s activity and the substrate, the same creature might leave very different tracks. That variability sparks debate among researchers trying to decide if a print came from a carnivore, herbivore, or something bird-like.
February 6, 2026
This black hole ate a star — and it’s still belching a brighter jet years later
···

This black hole ate a star — and it’s still belching a brighter jet years later

A supermassive black hole located about 665 million light-years away is still blasting an increasingly bright jet into space years after it tore apart a star, astronomers revealed Thursday. This persistent outflow ranks among the most powerful single radio wave events ever recorded, they said. https://www.reuters.com/science/black-hole-continues-belch-years-after-chewing-up-star-2026-02-05/ The timing is key here. The radio jet didn’t appear immediately after the star died; instead, it grew stronger over several years. This defies the usual expectations for such events and suggests that other jets that ignite late might have slipped under the radar.
February 5, 2026
Fire at Germany’s GSI lab in Darmstadt derails FAIR accelerator test plans
···

Fire at Germany’s GSI lab in Darmstadt derails FAIR accelerator test plans

Darmstadt, Germany — February 5, 2026, 20:15 CET A fire broke out at the GSI Helmholtz Centre in Darmstadt, forcing officials to postpone a critical test phase for the FAIR particle accelerator project. Hesse science minister Timon Gremmels called it “a black day” and confirmed that the December testing schedule is now on hold indefinitely. Christian Wagner, operations manager for the Darmstadt fire department, said, “Fortunately, we have no casualties so far.” https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/fire-at-german-research-center-delays-major-particle-accelerator-project/3821476?utm_source=chatgpt.com
February 5, 2026
Robot Dog Climbs Mount Etna to Sniff Volcanic Gases — Here’s What It Found
···

Robot Dog Climbs Mount Etna to Sniff Volcanic Gases — Here’s What It Found

ETH Zurich researchers deployed a four-legged robot “dog” on the slopes of Italy’s Mount Etna to autonomously detect gases that hint at shifts in volcanic activity. The goal: cut down on the dangers for humans venturing into risky areas. Volcano research is often a trade-off: the most accurate readings usually come from the harshest spots. Approaching vents means dealing with loose rocks, dust, and intense heat—and conditions can shift rapidly.
February 4, 2026
Finland Finds Traces of Radioactivity in Outdoor Air — Watchdog Says No Health Risk
···

Finland Finds Traces of Radioactivity in Outdoor Air — Watchdog Says No Health Risk

Finland’s nuclear safety authority reported on Friday that it found trace amounts of radioactive substances in air samples. However, officials stressed the levels detected do not pose any threat to public health. https://www.reuters.com/world/finland-detects-small-amount-radioactivity-sees-no-health-impact-2026-01-30/?utm_source=chatgpt.com This finding is significant because even minuscule, detectable traces can trigger alarms near a region packed with nuclear power plants. Plus, air-monitoring systems exist precisely to catch any releases early—whether from normal operations or something more serious.
January 30, 2026
Hong Kong scientists say this AI can spot storms 4 hours early — why forecasters are watching
···

Hong Kong scientists say this AI can spot storms 4 hours early — why forecasters are watching

Scientists in Hong Kong have unveiled an AI-driven weather system capable of forecasting thunderstorms and heavy rains up to four hours in advance, extending the lead time for storm alerts, the research team announced Wednesday. “We aim to leverage AI along with satellite data to enhance extreme weather forecasts and boost preparedness,” said Su Hui, chair professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and lead researcher on the project. https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/hong-kong-scientists-launch-ai-model-better-predict-extreme-weather-2026-01-28/ This announcement follows a record-breaking year of heavy rainfall in 2025 that scientists connected to climate change. Hong Kong’s observatory reported issuing its top rainstorm warning five times and the second-highest warning 16 times last year, both unprecedented numbers.
January 28, 2026
Doomsday Clock hits 85 seconds to midnight in 2026, closest ever
··

Doomsday Clock hits 85 seconds to midnight in 2026, closest ever

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moved its Doomsday Clock to 85 seconds to midnight on Tuesday, the closest the emblematic clock has ever been to its symbolic end point. The group said nuclear brinkmanship, war and fast-moving technology risks were pulling the world nearer to catastrophe. The shift comes as the last remaining U.S.-Russia nuclear arms treaty, New START, nears a Feb. 5 expiration, with no successor in place. The Bulletin also raised alarms about generative AI — software that can produce text, images or code — spreading into military systems and the information space.
January 27, 2026
Northern Lights Tonight? NOAA says aurora could reach New York as solar storm lingers
···

Northern Lights Tonight? NOAA says aurora could reach New York as solar storm lingers

U.S. space weather forecasters extended geomagnetic storm warnings on Wednesday, indicating auroras might be visible farther south than normal—potentially reaching as low as New York—as the aftermath of a strong solar eruption persisted. NOAA alerts recorded a severe event late Tuesday, with auroras possibly visible as far south as Alabama and northern California, though forecasts predict weaker activity later in the week. The revived “night sky tonight” craze has a catch: geomagnetic storms can mess with satellites, navigation signals, and radio communications, even as they provide a rare spectacle for stargazers. Shawn Dahl, a service coordinator at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, noted that the current storm’s strength hasn’t been witnessed in over twenty years.
January 21, 2026
Northern Lights Could Reach Farther South Tonight After NOAA Flags Severe Solar Storm
···

Northern Lights Could Reach Farther South Tonight After NOAA Flags Severe Solar Storm

U.S. space weather forecasters said severe geomagnetic storm levels were reached early Tuesday, raising the odds that the northern lights will be visible far beyond their usual Arctic zone on the night sky of Jan. 20. NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center said G4 levels were observed again at 3:23 a.m. and 5:21 a.m. EST after first hitting that threshold on Monday afternoon. The storm matters for more than skywatchers. NOAA said a severe solar radiation storm was also in progress, a rare event that can raise radiation exposure risks for astronauts and flights on polar routes, and increase threats to satellites and space launch systems. The agency said it had notified airlines, the FAA, NASA, FEMA and the North American
January 20, 2026
Comet 3I/ATLAS suddenly looks “fully active” — and astronomers say the window is closing
···

Comet 3I/ATLAS suddenly looks “fully active” — and astronomers say the window is closing

NASA’s SPHEREx space telescope detected that interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS has entered a noticeably more active phase following its closest approach to the Sun, called perihelion. Carey Lisse from Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory called it “a much more active object.” The timing is crucial because this visitor ranks among the rarest targets astronomers have tracked. NASA notes that 3I/ATLAS is only the third confirmed interstellar object spotted in our solar system, following 1I/‘Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov. It’s moving on a hyperbolic trajectory—too fast for the Sun’s gravity to capture. NASA confirms it posed no threat to Earth, passing about 1.8 astronomical units away on Dec. 19, and it’s expected to swing past Jupiter in March as it heads out.
January 20, 2026
1 2 3