NASA, ESA, CSA, Jupiter ERS Team, Judy Schmidt
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope captured spectacular new images of Jupiter the week of August 17–24, as the Artemis I mission got one step closer to launch.
The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority announced Kemp’s ridley turtle hatchlings were spotted in the Breton National Wildlife Refuge. It’s the first time in 75 years the endangered turtles have nested in the coastal area, which CPRA attributes to barrier island restoration.
Researchers found the antidepressant Luoxetine stops various coronaviruses from replicating by trapping the virus. They also developed a molecule called AKS466 which has a similar effect without the side effects of Fluoxetine and could be a workable treatment for Covid-19.
Researchers using Chile’s Gemini South Telescope produced the clearest image yet of the most massive star ever discovered, R136a1. Their research suggests R136a1 is smaller than believed — 230 rather than 320 times that of the Sun — but still the most massive known star. Capturing stars of this size is difficult due to their short lives and crowded stellar neighborhoods.
Researchers found increasing neuron generation in mice reduces the memory impairments from Alzheimer’s disease. The new neurons are incorporated into existing neural structures, making it a potential therapeutic target.
BMC Ecology and Evolution shared the winners of its second science image competition. The overall winner shows the parasitic fungus Ophiocordyceps erupting from the body of its host.
NASA’s Artemis I mission completed its Flight Readiness Review after its Moon-bound SLS returned to the launchpad last week. The launch of Artemis I is now scheduled for a two-hour window starting at 8:33 a.m. Eastern on August 29.
Researchers discovered the compound vanadium dioxide can “remember” past stimuli in a way they compare to a brain. The material changes shape when exposed to heat, and the time it takes changes based on previous exposures. It’s the first material found with this property and could be developed into a better form of data storage.
NASA released two stunning new images of Jupiter taken by the James Webb Space Telescope. The images show Jupiter’s polar aurorae and faint rings in infrared light with detail only possible thanks to the power of the recently launched telescope.
Scientists determined Sahelanthropus tchadensis, a human ancestor, developed bipedalism while still living in trees. The finding shows hominids may have combined bipedal and quadrupedal movement 7 million years ago.