Science
Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks Under Dark Skies in Rare August 2026 Display
The 2026 Perseid meteor shower peaks under rare dark-sky conditions, offering viewers over 100 shooting stars per hour.
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Independent reporting and evidence-led analysis across science.
Science
Unlocking the Genomic Blueprint Behind Human Health and Disease Resistance
Recent genomic analyses of diverse populations reveal specific gene mutations linked to reduced risk of cardiometabolic diseases and unique physical traits, opening new avenues for preventative medicine.
Science
Mapping Cancer Vulnerabilities Through Advanced Patient-Derived Organoid Biobanks
Researchers led by the Wellcome Sanger Institute have created a large patient-derived tumour organoid resource, using 256 clinically annotated models and CRISPR screening across 164 organoids to map cancer gene dependencies and identify potential therapeutic vulnerabilities.
Science
US Senate Pushes Back Against Executive Overhaul of Federal Science Funding
The US Senate has advanced a stopgap funding measure that blocks a controversial White House plan to overhaul federal science funding, sparking a high-stakes legislative battle over research autonomy.
Science
NASA and SpaceX Study Ways to Prevent Future Upper-Stage Lunar Impacts
NASA and SpaceX are studying measures to reduce the risk of future upper-stage lunar impacts as commercial deep-space traffic grows, following an August 5 Falcon 9 collision whose aftermath was imaged by South Korea's Danuri orbiter.
Science
Airbus and Thales Secure Contract for SpainSat NG-III Communications Satellite
Hisdesat has awarded Airbus and Thales a major contract to build the SpainSat NG-III secure communications satellite for Spain, NATO, and allied forces.
Science
NASA Unveils First New Langley Wind Tunnel in Four Decades
NASA has inaugurated the Flight Dynamics Research Facility at its Langley Research Center, marking the first major new wind tunnel built at the site in over forty years.
Science
Engineering Teams Race to Stabilize LINK Spacecraft in Bid to Save NASA Swift Telescope
Engineering teams are racing to stabilize the spinning LINK spacecraft, a private vehicle tasked with rescuing NASA's Swift telescope, pushing the mission schedule to late August.
Science
Ancient DNA from Chilean Mummies Confirms European Introduction of Smallpox
Recent genomic analysis of ancient DNA from Chilean mummies provides definitive scientific proof that early European colonization introduced smallpox to the Americas.
Science
NASA Announces Flagship Event to Mark America’s 250th Year of Aviation and Space Prowess
NASA will host a high‑profile news conference on 14 August at Kennedy Space Center, unveiling plans for a later‑year celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary of leadership in aviation, space and emerging technologies.
Science
Private Rescue Mission Falters as Spacecraft Sent to Save NASA Telescope Spins Out of Control
A private spacecraft dispatched to rescue NASA's Swift telescope has begun spinning out of control, placing the ambitious commercial maintenance mission in jeopardy.
Science
A Celestial Time‑Capsule: Roman Telescope Takes Over a Million Voices to L2
NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will carry a memory card bearing 1.35 million names – a global tribute that will travel to the Sun‑Earth L2 point, linking humanity’s curiosity with the next generation of space‑based astronomy.
Science
August 2026 Skywatching: Solar Eclipse, Perseids, Venus and Lunar Eclipse
August 2026 offers a spectacular line‑up for amateur astronomers: a total solar eclipse across northern Europe, the Perseid meteor shower, Venus at its brightest, and a deep partial lunar eclipse later in the month.