Science News - News of Philadelphia

Space suit wearer holding a tablet with a 3D asteroid fragment model over a metallic surface with scattered drilling tools

Asteroid Mining Study Identifies Olivine-Spinel Asteroids as Prime Targets

Olivia Bennett Harris January 2, 2026No Comments

At a Glance Researchers pinpoint olivine-spinel asteroids as best mining targets. Study analyzed 28 meteorite samples over a decade. Startup...

Juncos chick tilts its beak toward the viewer with warm light and a blurred campus background

Local News Science News

Pandemic-Driven Beak Evolution in Dark-Eyed Juncos

Jordan M. Lewis January 2, 2026No Comments

At a Glance Dark-eyed juncos' beaks lengthened during the pandemic and shortened again as campuses reopened. The changes were observed in chicks...

Bark beetle standing on a decaying trunk with Beauveria bassiana fungus wrapping its legs under golden forest light

Environmental News Science News

Bark Beetles Outsmart Trees, But Fungus Keeps the Balance

Sarah L. Montgomery January 2, 2026No Comments

At a Glance Bark beetles use spruce tree antibiotics to create stronger toxins. Beauveria bassiana fungus adapts to counter beetle defenses. The...

ForgeStar-1 satellite glowing with orange heat and a control panel reading 1830 °F

Science News Tech News

Space Forge’s ForgeStar-1 Generates Plasma in Orbit, Paving Way for Ultra-Pure Semiconductors

Robert K. Lawson January 2, 2026No Comments

At a Glance Microwave-sized factory in orbit generated plasma for first time. Furnace on ForgeStar-1 hit 1,830 °F (1,000 °C) in low-Earth...

Cookiecutter shark breaches water leaving circular bite on swordfish with sunset glow and ocean depth

Marine Biology News Report Science News

New Study Maps Cookiecutter Shark Bites to Nighttime New-Moon Hours

Robert K. Lawson January 2, 2026No Comments

> At a Glance > - Cookiecutter shark bite patterns mapped from 2011-2023 data. > - Attacks peak during new-moon nights, especially on swordfish at...

Glowing disk stretches across the frame with wispy filaments and swirling nebulae lighting the void.

Science News Space News

Hubble’s First Visible-Light Image of Chaotic Disk “Dracula’s Chivito”

Jordan M. Lewis January 1, 2026No Comments

At a Glance Disk spans 400 billion miles (640 billion km), ~40× the solar system. First visible-light image from Hubble shows chaotic, asymmetric...

White hospital gown hanging on drying rack with flickering fluorescent light and scattered medical tools on counter

Breaking News Health News Science News

C. auris Fungus Spreads to 50+ Countries, Killing Thousands

Emily Carter Reynolds January 1, 2026No Comments

At a Glance The drug-resistant fungus Candida auris now appears in over 50 countries. The United States recorded more than 4,500 cases in 2023, with...

Bioluminescent microbes float with tendrils reaching toward a crystal glowing against Europa’s icy blue‑green background.

Astrobiology Science News Space Exploration

Radioactive Decay Could Fuel Life in Europa’s Hidden Ocean

Emily Carter Reynolds December 31, 2025No Comments

> At a Glance > - Radioactive decay in Europa's ocean could fuel life > - New model presented at AGU meeting in New Orleans > - Europa Clipper may...

White‑tailed deer standing still in misty forest with glowing fungi lighting the background and twisted antlers

Health News Science News

CWD Spreads to New U.S. and Canadian Regions, Threatens Hunters

Daniel J. Whitman December 31, 2025No Comments

At a Glance CWD has appeared in new U.S. and Canadian regions. Three Arkansas cases and one Wisconsin case confirmed in mid-December 2023. Manitoba...

Satellite hovering with glowing circuit patterns and a cracked globe in warm golden light

Science News Tech News

New Satellite Design Aims to Stop Ozone-Depleting Re-entries

Olivia Bennett Harris December 31, 2025No Comments

At a Glance Thousands of satellites burn up each year, releasing chemicals that erode the ozone layer. Researchers propose satellites that survive...