Axiom‑4 Crew Dragon docks at ISS with Indian Mission Pilot
The Crew Dragon Grace, launched from Kennedy Space Center, successfully docked with the ISS after about 28 hours. Mission pilot Shubhanshu Shukla—only the second Indian ever in space—joins three other crew members aboard the station. The docking involved complex orbital maneuvers to match speed and trajectory with the Harmony module. A hatch opening is planned following safety checks. The mission highlights international collaboration: private company SpaceX, Axiom Space, and a globally diverse crew. Shukla, visibly emotional, thanked supporters and shared views of Earth from orbit—calling it a collective achievement. (NDTV)
Mexican President warns of legal action over SpaceX debris
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum threatened to sue SpaceX, citing falling rocket debris and environmental contamination from its Texas launch site near the border. The warning follows test failures and explosions at Starbase, with debris reportedly landing in Tamaulipas. The administration is exploring legal avenues, citing potential violation of international environmental standards. (Space Daily)
Judge orders restoration of California university research funding
A federal judge has ruled that agencies must reinstate science grants to University of California researchers. The grants, canceled under a previous administration, were deemed revoked in an illegal, arbitrary and capricious manner. Over 800 grants—including approximately 430 in California—are affected. The ruling could restore hundreds of millions in funding to faculty across multiple disciplines. (Science)
New CDC vaccine advisory committee triggers uproar
The CDC’s restructured Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), appointed by HHS Secretary RFK Jr., held its first meeting—prompting public health concern. The shake-up involved dismissing 17 members and appointing individuals linked to vaccine skepticism or conflicts of interest. Presentations on COVID‑19 boosters were removed from the agenda. Critics question the panel’s impartiality, citing blurred conflict‑of‑interest disclosures and potential erosion of trust in vaccine recommendations. (CIDRAP)
US halts support for Gavi over vaccine‑safety concerns
The U.S. government, under Health Secretary RFK Jr., has withdrawn its funding from Gavi, the global vaccine alliance. He criticized Gavi for ignoring safety and science—especially regarding the DTP vaccine—and will only restore support when safety is taken seriously. Gavi defended its reliance on WHO recommendations and emphasized DTP’s importance in combating child mortality in lower-income nations. (CIDRAP)
Judge halts grant cancellations to University of California
A federal judge in Massachusetts deemed the Trump-era cancellation of more than 800 science grants—including around 430 at California universities—as arbitrary and unlawful. The ruling requires agencies to restore the grants. The decision effects cover various federal bodies and may set a precedent affecting future funding actions. (New York Times)
Ancient Colombian DNA uncovers extinct lineage
Genetic analyses reveal a unique lineage of hunter-gatherers who lived in the Bogotá highlands about 6,000 years ago and vanished around 4,000 years later. This group shows no close relationship to other ancient Native American populations or modern Colombians. Their disappearance and divergence suggest previously unknown migratory or demographic events in prehistoric South America. (Smithsonian Magazine)
One in every classroom is IVF‑conceived in Britain
Fertility treatment is increasingly common in the UK: in 2023, IVF accounted for about 3.1% of births—approximately 1 in 32 births compared to 1 in 43 in 2013. Over 52,000 patients underwent 77,500 IVF cycles, resulting in around 20,700 babies. Egg-freezing is rising, particularly among women in their 30s. NHS-funded IVF cycles dropped to 27% overall, though funding varies by region. (The Guardian)
China proposes CubeSat swarm to scout asteroid Apophis
Chinese scientists advocate launching a swarm of CubeSats to fly by asteroid Apophis during its close Earth encounter in 2029. The mission concept aims to collect detailed data on the asteroid’s structure, composition, and surface characteristics. A distributed-satellite approach could offer comprehensive sampling while mitigating risk. The proposal represents China’s expanding interest in deep-space reconnaissance and asteroid science. (Space News)
Desert lichen hints at extraterrestrial life potential
A species of desert lichen has been found capable of surviving extreme conditions mimicking other planets—high radiation, desiccation, and temperature swings. This resilience supports the idea that life could endure in harsh extraterrestrial environments like Mars. The findings add weight to astrobiology’s hypothesis that lichens may serve as analogues for future life-detection targets. (Space Daily)
Mammoth boomerang sheds light on early toolmaking
A newly discovered curved bone tool made from mammoth remains has been dated to tens of thousands of years ago. This boomerang-like artifact suggests early humans crafted specialized hunting or digging implements. The find challenges previous notions that such complex bone tools appeared later and signals advanced cognitive and technological development among prehistoric hunter-gatherers. (Science)
Fossil amber shows fungal zombie infection of prehistoric insect
A newly unearthed fossil in 100-million-year-old Burmese amber contains an insect that died under the influence of an entomopathogenic fungus—the same kind that creates zombie behavior in some modern insects. The specimen bears fungal hyphae emerging from its mouth and spiracles, providing the oldest known direct evidence of host manipulation by parasitic fungi. (CNN)