SCIENCE

Apr 10 2026SCIENCE

Space dreams: What Americans have really thought about exploring beyond Earth

Back in 1949, most Americans didn’t believe moon rockets would ever work. Only 15% thought humans could reach the lunar surface within fifty years. Even in 1957, when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the public was still cautious. About 40% guessed humans might land on the moon by 1980, but anothe

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Apr 10 2026SCIENCE

How tiny cell parts travel between cells – and why that matters

Scientists once saw mitochondria—the powerhouses inside our cells—as fixed residents with one job: producing energy. Now they know these tiny structures are more like delivery trucks zipping between cells, dropping off supplies or picking up garbage. This movement happens with help from three main h

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Apr 10 2026SCIENCE

Cholera bacteria swap genes to survive attacks

Cholera germs have a smart trick to protect themselves. They carry a built-in gene storage system that holds hundreds of spare parts, mostly unused. A small portion of these genes help fight off viruses. Normally, stressed bacteria shuffle these genes around to pick the best ones. But cholera germs

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Apr 10 2026SCIENCE

Testing the limits: What keeps Artemis II's astronauts safe?

When the Orion spacecraft returns to Earth during Artemis II, it will face its biggest challenge yet. Traveling at speeds faster than a bullet, the capsule will hit temperatures hot enough to melt steel. This extreme heat is what makes the heat shield so critical - it's the only thing standing betwe

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Apr 10 2026SCIENCE

How astronauts use tiny lab tools to study space dangers

Space travel isn’t just about rockets and moon landings—it’s also a giant science experiment. NASA’s Artemis II mission sent four astronauts on a test flight around the Moon, but hidden among them were four tiny lab tools no bigger than USB drives. These aren’t ordinary gadgets; they’re organ chips

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Apr 09 2026SCIENCE

How tiny plant boosters help seeds survive the cold

Early spring planting is tricky for pepper and tomato growers because cold soil slows down seed sprouting and weakens baby plants. Scientists tested a two-step trick: soak seeds in a special sugar-like mix, let them dry, then spray the young plants with the same mix. The mix contains three tiny comp

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Apr 09 2026SCIENCE

Exploring the Big Ideas Hiding in Tiny Particles and Space

Some of the most confusing scientific concepts—like how the universe began or how gravity really works—can feel like they belong only in complicated textbooks. But an innovative approach turns these heavy topics into something more relatable. By mixing science with storytelling, one author shows how

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Apr 08 2026SCIENCE

Why a Moon Trip Still Makes Us Go Wow

People got chills last week when astronauts swung past the moon farther than anyone has gone before. Mission Control’s simple three-word call—“Amaze. Amaze. Amaze. ”—matched the reaction of millions watching live feeds. The moon suddenly filled the window, fat and bright, while our blue marble Earth

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Apr 08 2026SCIENCE

The moon's hidden side and Earth's tiny glow: How Artemis II rewrote space travel

For the first time in over fifty years, humans sailed past the moon, not just to visit but to witness sights no one had seen before. The four astronauts—two Americans, one Canadian, and a mix of expertise between pilots and engineers—flew farther from Earth than any humans before them. Their journey

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Apr 08 2026SCIENCE

Where will Artemis II land? California braces for splashdown

The Artemis II mission is about to wrap up its week-long trip around the moon, bringing its four astronauts back to Earth. This isn’t just any return—it’s the first crewed moon flyby in over half a century, and it’s set to splash down near San Diego on April 10, 2026. The Orion capsule, launched fro

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