NASA Opens Public Registration for Artemis II Moon Mission Names
NASA is inviting the public to join the Artemis II mission by submitting their names to fly aboard the Orion spacecraft on its journey around the Moon. The registration period remains open until January 21, 2026, allowing participants to claim their virtual boarding passes for this historic flight scheduled for April 2026. The mission will carry four astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch from NASA, and Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency—on a 10-day test flight around the Moon. This marks the first crewed mission under NASA’s Artemis program since Apollo 17 in 1972. The initiative represents NASA’s commitment to public engagement in space exploration while testing critical systems needed for future lunar surface missions and eventual Mars expeditions. (NASA)
Scientists Create First Visible Time Crystals Using Liquid Crystal Technology
Physicists at the University of Colorado Boulder have achieved a breakthrough by creating the first time crystals visible to the human eye, using liquid crystal materials commonly found in phone displays. Unlike previous quantum-based time crystals requiring specialized equipment, these new structures exhibit perpetual motion patterns observable under normal conditions. The team’s innovation represents a unique phase of matter where components exist in constant, periodic motion without external energy input—similar to a clock running eternally without electricity. Researchers created complex patterns including “time barcodes” by stacking multiple crystals. Published in Nature Materials, this advancement opens possibilities for numerous technological applications, from novel sensors to quantum computing components. The visible nature of these time crystals makes them particularly valuable for practical implementations previously impossible with quantum-scale versions. (phys.org)
Revolutionary Hollow-Core Fiber Achieves 45% Faster Data Transmission
Scientists have developed a groundbreaking hollow-core optical fiber that transmits data 45% faster than conventional silica-based cables while achieving record-low signal loss. The nested antiresonant nodeless hollow core fiber (DNANF) guides light through air rather than glass, enabling faster transmission speeds since light travels more quickly through air. Published in Nature Photonics, the research demonstrates losses below 0.2 dB/km across wavelengths from 700nm to 2,400nm, compatible with long-distance communications. Using advanced modeling, researchers minimized three primary loss mechanisms: leakage, surface scattering, and microbending. Tests on fibers up to 15 kilometers long confirmed the results. The technology could revolutionize internet infrastructure by allowing signals to travel further without amplification, increasing data capacity and network efficiency. Future improvements could potentially reduce losses to 0.01 dB/km. (phys.org)
Mars Confirmed to Have Solid Inner Core Like Earth
NASA’s InSight mission data reveals Mars possesses a solid inner core approximately 610 kilometers in radius, surrounded by a liquid outer core, resolving a longstanding planetary mystery. This Earth-like structure, discovered through analysis of Martian seismic waves, suggests Mars may have once generated a magnetic field through core convection. Such a field could have protected a thicker atmosphere and enabled liquid water on the surface billions of years ago. The findings, published by researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China, overturn earlier models suggesting Mars had only a single liquid core layer. The discovery helps explain Mars’ evolution from a potentially habitable world to today’s cold, dry planet. Understanding Mars’ interior structure provides crucial insights for future exploration missions and comparative planetology studies with Earth. (phys.org)
5. 3D-Printed Micro Ion Traps Solve Quantum Computing Miniaturization Challenge
Researchers from UC Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have revolutionized quantum computing components using high-resolution 3D printing to create miniaturized ion traps. Published in Nature, the study demonstrates how two-photon polymerization (2PP) enables fabrication of complex electrode structures previously impossible with traditional microfabrication techniques. These 3D-printed traps achieve strong ion confinement with trap frequencies ranging from 2-24 MHz, supporting high-fidelity quantum operations essential for scalable quantum computing. The breakthrough addresses a critical bottleneck in quantum technology development—efficiently miniaturizing components while maintaining performance. Traditional 3D ion traps require large ion-electrode distances that weaken electric fields, while surface traps force ions too close to electrodes. The new approach combines benefits of both designs, offering improved scalability for future quantum computers and opening pathways for more compact, powerful quantum systems. (phys.org)
Graphene’s Floquet Effects Unlock Revolutionary Electronics Potential
Scientists from the University of Göttingen have directly observed Floquet effects in graphene for the first time, demonstrating that precise light pulses can fundamentally alter the material’s electronic properties. Published in Nature Physics, this breakthrough confirms that Floquet engineering—manipulating materials using light—works in metallic and semi-metallic quantum materials like graphene. The discovery enables targeted electron manipulation for future technologies, with particular promise for developing reliable quantum computers and advanced sensors. Professor Marcel Reutzel notes this opens new pathways for controlling electronic states in quantum materials, especially for investigating topological properties known for exceptional stability. The achievement resolves a long-standing scientific debate about whether such light-based material engineering was possible in graphene. This advancement positions graphene as a cornerstone material for next-generation electronics, combining its natural conductivity with precisely controllable quantum states. (phys.org)
US Critical Minerals Found in Mining Waste, Study Reveals
All critical minerals needed annually for US energy, defense, and technology applications are already being extracted at existing mining facilities but discarded as waste, according to new research in Science. Colorado School of Mines researchers discovered that elements like cobalt, lithium, gallium, and rare earth minerals are currently thrown away as tailings from gold, zinc, and other mining operations. Lead author Elizabeth Holley likens the recovery challenge to “getting salt out of bread dough,” requiring significant research and development to make extraction economically viable. The analysis built a comprehensive database of annual production from federally permitted metal mines, identifying sites with highest recovery potential. While market values alone may not justify extraction costs, new policies incentivizing recovery infrastructure could transform waste streams into critical mineral supplies, reducing import dependence and environmental impacts. (phys.org)
CDC Upheaval Triggers Global Concern Amid Vaccine Policy Debates
International health organizations express alarm as CDC faces unprecedented disruption following controversial vaccine policy changes and leadership transitions. The turmoil centers on Florida’s elimination of vaccine mandates for public school children—the first such action nationwide—and contentious Senate hearings where HHS Secretary Kennedy faced bipartisan criticism over childhood vaccine stances. President Trump expressed reservations about Florida’s position, calling it “very tough” while emphasizing certain vaccines’ proven effectiveness. Senator Cassidy called for postponing September’s ACIP meeting, citing concerns about the reconstituted committee’s scientific process and membership changes. The disruption occurs as measles cases surge past 1,200 nationally, prompting CIDRAP’s Vaccine Integrity Project to address growing public health gaps. Global health partners worry about ripple effects on international disease surveillance and pandemic preparedness, highlighting risks to decades of vaccination progress. (CIDRAP)
9. Dormant Breast Cancer Cells Can Be Detected and Eliminated
Researchers have discovered methods to identify and destroy dormant breast cancer cells before they reactivate, potentially preventing disease recurrence years after initial treatment. The breakthrough, reported by Virginia Tech scientists, reveals how dormant cells hide from conventional therapies while retaining potential for future growth. Using advanced detection techniques, researchers can now locate these sleeping cells and target them with specialized treatments that overcome their protective dormancy mechanisms. The discovery addresses a critical challenge in oncology—cancer recurrence after seemingly successful treatment. Dormant cells can remain undetected for years before reawakening to cause metastatic disease. This new approach combines detection markers specific to dormant cells with targeted elimination strategies, offering hope for preventing late-stage recurrences. The findings could transform post-treatment monitoring and maintenance therapy approaches for breast cancer survivors. (SciTechDaily)
Liquid Battery Breakthrough Promises Safer Home Solar Storage
Monash University scientists have developed a revolutionary liquid battery system designed specifically for home solar energy storage, potentially outperforming current lithium-ion alternatives. The fast-charging, intrinsically safe design addresses critical concerns about fire risks associated with conventional battery technologies in residential settings. Unlike solid-state batteries, this liquid system operates at room temperature, eliminates thermal runaway risks, and uses abundant, non-toxic materials. The technology promises longer lifespan with minimal degradation over thousands of charge cycles. Researchers report the system could be manufactured at lower costs than existing solutions while providing comparable or superior energy density. The breakthrough arrives as residential solar adoption accelerates globally, creating urgent demand for safe, efficient storage solutions. Commercial development could enable households to achieve greater energy independence while supporting grid stability through distributed storage networks. (SciTechDaily)