Latest Science News
NASA Confirms Two Airplane-Sized Asteroids to Make Close Approach to Earth Today
Two airplane-sized asteroids, 2026 HJ3 and 2026 HR, are set to safely pass Earth on April 27, 2026, at distances of millions of miles with no impact risk. NASA routinely monitors these near-Earth objects to refine orbits and enhance planetary defense.
The larger asteroid 2026 HR measures about 68 feet and will pass 3.95 million miles away.
China Surpasses US in Research Spending Milestone
China's R&D investment has reached parity with and surpassed the US by purchasing power, both exceeding $1 trillion, per a March 2026 OECD report. This follows China's leads in top-cited papers since 2019 and patent filings in 2024.
The shift marks a structural change in global scientific leadership.
Scientists Probe Microbiome for Rising Colorectal Cancer Clues
Researchers are investigating gut microbiome changes linked to the increase in colorectal cancers, but lack tests for healthy microbiomes. Mechanisms damaging the gut are suspected, yet isolating cancer triggers remains challenging.
More controlled studies on factors like diet and exposures are needed.
MIT's Self-Organizing Pencil Beam Laser Revolutionizes Bioimaging
MIT researchers found laser light can self-organize into a focused pencil beam, enabling 3D imaging of the blood-brain barrier 25 times faster than standard methods. This defies expectations of chaos at high power, published in Nature Methods.
The technique promises higher-resolution brain-targeted therapies.
White House Terminates Entire National Science Board
The White House ousted all 25 members of the National Science Board, which oversees the NSF's nearly $9 billion budget for university research. This follows proposed drastic NSF budget cuts, though Congress rejected similar reductions previously.
The move impacts major federal research funding.
NIH-Funded Studies Lag in Reporting Sex Differences
A Northwestern study of 574 NIH-funded papers from 2017-2024 found 61% included both sexes, but only 44% reported results by sex. Published in Nature Communications Medicine, it highlights gaps in NIH's sex-as-biological-variable guidelines.
Better reporting is needed for sex-specific insights.
Super El Niño Threatens Extreme Weather and Record Global Heat
A potential super El Niño could intensify extreme weather and drive global temperatures to new highs next year. This phenomenon amplifies climate impacts worldwide.
Scientists warn of supercharged events if it develops.
Scarce Snowpack in Upper Colorado Basin Sparks Water Crisis
The Upper Colorado Basin's snowpack peaked four weeks early in 2026 due to extreme heat, far below 2001-2025 averages. A March heatwave set records, plunging snow water equivalent.
Lake Powell is at 24% capacity, risking power production without intervention.
NASA Tracks Airplane-Sized Asteroids 2026 HJ3 and HR Flyby
Asteroids 2026 HJ3 and 2026 HR, both airplane-sized, approach Earth safely today, monitored by NASA for trajectory refinement. No threat exists despite close astronomical distances.
These flybys aid planetary defense efforts.
China Leads in Highly Cited Papers and Patents
China topped global most-cited papers overall by 2022 and filed 1.8 million patents in 2024 vs. US's 603,191. This R&D spending surge signals broader technological dominance.
Consequences extend to global leadership in science.
MIT Laser Breakthrough Challenges Optical Physics Assumptions
High-power laser light unexpectedly self-organizes into a sharp beam instead of chaos, per MIT discovery. This enables rapid, high-res bioimaging applications.
Led by Sixian You, it opens new therapy design possibilities.