Top Science Headlines
Scientists develop method to turn factory emission into fuel
Researchers from Australia, France and China have developed a method to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial emissions directly into fuel without purifying gas first. The study, published in Nature Communications, uses a special organic liquid to convert CO2 into carbon monoxide, offering a more efficient and cost-effective approach to carbon capture and cleaner industrial fuel production.
Why is Pacific Ocean slowly shrinking?
A new scientific study suggests that Pacific Ocean, the world's largest ocean, is gradually shrinking due to tectonic plate movement and subduction around the Ring of Fire. Scientists said oceanic crust is being pushed beneath surrounding plates, causing the basin to contract over millions of years. This process could eventually lead to the formation of a new supercontinent called Amasia.
2,300-year-old grain wine found in sealed bronze vessel in China
Archaeologists in China identified 3.74 litres of grain-based wine preserved inside sealed bronze vessel for around 2,300 years. Excavated from Shanjiabao cemetery in Ningxia, the garlic-shaped flask dates to Warring States period. Researchers said its textile-and-mud double seal prevented evaporation, while laboratory tests confirmed it was a fermented cereal beverage from ancient Qin State.
NASA's Roman telescope to carry 13.5 lakh names to deep space
NASA has installed a memory card carrying 13,50,144 names on the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope as part of a commemorative plaque. Submitted by people worldwide, the names will travel with the observatory to the Sun-Earth L2 point, about one million miles from Earth. NASA and SpaceX are targeting the telescope's launch on August 30 aboard a Falcon Heavy rocket.
Pic shows rare 'fire rainbow' in US
A photo shows a rare 'fire rainbow' near North Fork Mountain, West Virginia. It is scientifically a circumhorizontal arc. It forms when sunlight passes through millions of tiny, horizontally aligned hexagonal ice crystals in high-altitude cirrus clouds. The phenomenon occurs only when the Sun is at least 58 degrees above the horizon, allowing light to refract at the correct angle.
B'luru-based startup to reveal India's 1st reusable rocket engine on Aug 7
Bengaluru-based startup Astrobase Space will unveil India's first fully integrated 80-tonne-class Full-Flow Staged Combustion (FFSC) rocket engine on August 7. In the FFSC cycle, all fuel and oxidizer pass through separate preburners before entering the main combustion chamber. This boosts efficiency, increases thrust, reduces engine wear, and makes the engine suitable for reusable rockets.
Astrophysicist Annapurni Subramaniam awarded Vikram Sarabhai Medal
Astrophysicist Annapurni Subramaniam was awarded the COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal 2026 at the 46th COSPAR Scientific Assembly in Italy's Florence. She currently serves as the Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Bengaluru. The award is presented to scientists for outstanding contributions to space research in developing countries.
Humayun's Tomb decaying rapidly due to air pollution: IIT study
A study conducted by IIT Roorkee and IIT Kanpur found that years of exposure to air pollution is accelerating the decay of Humayun's Tomb. Researchers analysed black crust made of gypsum collected from the sandstone in different parts of the monument. The gypsum traps dust and metal particles from vehicle emissions and construction activities, and gradually weakens the sandstone.
Astronaut Anil Menon shares video of his 1st aurora from space
Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon shared a video of his first aurora from space. "I'll never forget this sight...I was filled with awe and gratitude. It's a beautiful planet we share," he said. Auroras lit up high-latitude regions on Earth on August 2 after a coronal mass ejection (CME) interacted with Earth's magnetosphere.
Scientists discover how plants stop 'eating' when full
Researchers at New York University identified a protein called HHO5 that signals plants to stop absorbing nitrogen once their needs are met. The study, published in The Plant Cell, could help develop crops that require less fertiliser, reducing farming costs and pollution. The researchers identified gene regulators that are sensitive to different levels and types of nitrogen to uncover this.