Life

Health, science, climate, and society-focused reporting.

Briefing: Another GPS launch shifts from ULA to SpaceX as Vulcan investigation continues

Strategic angle: The GPS III SV-10 satellite will now be launched by SpaceX due to ongoing issues with ULA's Vulcan Centaur rocket.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: A self-sufficient Mars garden? How cyanobacteria-based fertilizer could grow edible biomass

Strategic angle: A research team from the University of Bremen and the German Aerospace Center has made significant progress in developing a sustainable farming solution for Mars.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: Researchers uncover gut-liver serotonin pathway that limits nanoparticle and viral delivery

Strategic angle: A new study reveals the gut-liver immune regulatory axis and its role in limiting nanoparticle and viral delivery.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: Compact terahertz imaging system brings real-time, non-invasive clinical diagnostics closer

Strategic angle: Scientists at the University of Warwick and University of Exeter have developed a fully fiber-coupled terahertz imaging system that enhances the speed and resolution of clinical diagnostics.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: NASA Selects University Finalists for Technology Concepts Competition

Strategic angle: 14 university teams chosen for the 2026 RASC-AL Competition to design innovative aerospace concepts.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: ShadowCam search casts doubt on abundant lunar ice

Strategic angle: New observations challenge the presence of water ice on the lunar surface.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: What 'Project Hail Mary' gets right—and wrong—about astrophysics

Strategic angle: "Project Hail Mary," the Ryan Gosling-led adaptation of the best-selling sci-fi novel from Andy Weir, is being praised for putting the science in science fiction.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: How Open NASA Data on Comet 3I/ATLAS Will Power Tomorrow’s Discoveries

Strategic angle: The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS will soon leave our solar system, but its observations will enrich NASA’s public data archives.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: Ancient sling bullet delivers a 2,100-year-old taunt: 'Learn your lesson!'

Strategic angle: A discovery at Hippos reveals lead sling bullets used in ancient warfare, inscribed with a message.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: Replicating bacterial DNA relies on accordion-like folds to separate, researchers discover

Strategic angle: New research reveals the unique mechanism bacteria use for DNA replication, differing from human cell processes.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: Innovative Recycling Method Converts Waste PET into High-Quality Raw Materials

Strategic angle: A new technique promises to enhance the recycling of PET, producing clean hydrogen and high-quality materials.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: NASA Exploration, Science Inspire “Project Hail Mary” Film

Strategic angle: Real-life space exploration and big-screen science fiction will converge on Friday as NASA prepares to launch Artemis II.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: New 'atlas' for dendritic cells creates order in international nomenclature

Strategic angle: Aarushi Caro's Ph.D. work establishes a systematic classification for dendritic cells, enhancing clarity in cancer immunology.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: 'Plastic-eating' fusion enzyme improves polyester textile recycling

Strategic angle: Scientists develop an engineered enzyme that accelerates the breakdown of PET plastic, enhancing recycling efforts.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: Vertical gardens prove effective in improving indoor air quality

Strategic angle: Researchers at the University of Seville have demonstrated the effectiveness of active vertical garden systems in enhancing indoor air quality.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: Low-cost test dissolves threat of fake drugs

Strategic angle: Researchers have devised a low-cost way to help distinguish legitimate medications from counterfeit ones.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: New AI Model Predicts Record High Dipole Moments in Unexpected Molecules

Strategic angle: A groundbreaking machine learning model simplifies the search for innovative molecules by accurately predicting electric dipole moments.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: Perceived inequality is a breeding ground for populism, say researchers

Strategic angle: Income and wealth disparities have widened significantly, correlating with the rise of populist parties in Europe.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: Smile mission set for April 9 launch to image Earth's magnetic field in X-rays

Strategic angle: The Smile mission is set to launch on a Vega-C rocket from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Life

Briefing: Long-term road surveys reveal widespread declines in South African birds of prey

Strategic angle: A comprehensive study has revealed substantial declines in many of South Africa's birds of prey (raptors) over the past 16 years, raising fresh concerns about the conservation status of several iconic and threatened species.

Editorial Staff Mar 20