Science Daily

The universe is still speeding up, but nobody knows why

A major new analysis challenges recent claims that the universe's expansion is slowing, finding that the evidence for cosmic acceleration remains strong. The findings preserve the leading role of dark energy, while leaving scientists with the enduring mystery of what this strange cosmic force actually is.

science  Aug 29, 2026

Science Daily

Long-term melatonin use linked to 90% higher heart failure risk

People with chronic insomnia who used melatonin long term had a roughly 90% higher risk of developing heart failure over five years, according to a large preliminary study. The findings do not prove melatonin causes heart problems, but they raise new questions about the safety of taking the popular sleep supplement for extended periods.

science  Aug 29, 2026

Science Daily

Australia’s red soil may be hiding a massive clean energy source

Researchers have discovered that Western Australia’s iron-rich rocks can naturally generate hydrogen and that the process may be boosted to produce much larger amounts. If it can be scaled up, the vast formations beneath the Pilbara could become a major new source of low-emission energy for Australia and potentially the world.

science  Aug 29, 2026

Science Daily

Your sleep may be hiding an early clue to Alzheimer’s

Frequent micro-awakenings during sleep were linked to higher genetic risk for Alzheimer’s in healthy middle-aged adults who had no symptoms. The discovery raises the possibility that subtle changes during sleep could offer an early warning signal years before memory problems appear.

science  Aug 29, 2026

Science Daily

Scientists discover why damaged nerves struggle to heal

Scientists have identified a protein that acts like a brake on the nervous system’s ability to repair damaged connections. Blocking AHR helped injured nerve fibers regrow and improved movement and sensation in mice with nerve or spinal cord injuries. The discovery could eventually point toward new treatments designed to shift neurons from simply surviving an injury to actively rebuilding themselves.

science  Aug 29, 2026

NASA News

NASA’s Artemis II Crew Receives Congressional Space Medal of Honor

From left to right: NASA astronauts Victor Glover and Christina Koch, CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, and NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman receive the Congressional Space Medal of Honor from President Donald J. Trump on Aug. 28, 2026, for their service during the Artemis II mission. The Congressional Space Medal of Honor was authorized […]

science  Aug 28, 2026

NASA News

NASA Awards First Prize in Phase 2 of Agency’s LunaRecycle Challenge 

NASA named a team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as the first prize winner for Phase 2 of the agency’s LunaRecycle Challenge, which focused on developing solutions for reducing waste during missions to the Moon or deep space by recycling common materials, like fabrics, plastics, foam, and metals.  The Composites for Extraterrestrial Recycling By Engineerin

science  Aug 28, 2026

NASA News

President Honors NASA’s Artemis II Crew with Highest US Space Award

President Donald J. Trump awarded NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen with the Congressional Space Medal of Honor Friday for their service during the Artemis II mission. He presented the awards during a ceremony at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, honoring the first […]

science  Aug 28, 2026

NASA News

President Trump Signs Executive Order to Create US Space Academy  

To strengthen the nation’s space workforce and develop the next generation of space leaders, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order on Friday to establish the nation’s first U.S. Space Academy. The order highlights how space is a critical domain for American national security, economic growth, scientific discovery, and technological innovation. The proposed academy […]

science  Aug 28, 2026

Science Daily

Experimental eye drops help blind mice see again

Scientists have created light-activated drugs that helped blind mice perceive light again and restored visually guided behavior without gene therapy, implants, or specialized lighting. Even more intriguingly, two of the most promising compounds worked when administered as eye drops, pointing toward a potentially simple new approach to restoring vision.

science  Aug 28, 2026

Science Daily

NASA’s Roman telescope will see 100 times more sky than Hubble

NASA’s Roman Space Telescope will combine Hubble-like detail with a field of view 100 times larger, giving astronomers a sweeping new way to explore the cosmos. Its observations could uncover hidden planets, map billions of cosmic objects, and help scientists unravel the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy.

science  Aug 28, 2026

Science Daily

Chimpanzees have been hurling rocks at the same trees for more than a decade

Some chimpanzees in West Africa repeatedly throw rocks at particular trees, creating piles of stones that can remain in use for more than a decade. Researchers think this unusual behavior may be cultural and could serve as a form of communication, territorial signaling, or something more symbolic. Camera traps and audio recordings are now being used to reveal who throws the stones and how nearby chimpanzees respond.

science  Aug 28, 2026

Science Daily

A common vape flavoring may disrupt early embryo development

A popular vanilla flavoring in e-cigarettes may interfere with some of the earliest steps of human development. In lab experiments, vanillin caused embryonic stem cells to lose their ability to develop normally and pushed them toward forming only certain types of tissue.

science  Aug 28, 2026

Science Daily

Researchers followed 400,000 kids for 20 years and found a lasting pre-K advantage

A 20-year study of 400,000 students found that children who attended public school pre-K earned better grades and test scores through high school than those in other childcare settings. Better-trained teachers and earlier exposure to structured classrooms may help explain why the advantage lasted so long.

science  Aug 28, 2026

Science Daily

Scientists tested 212 plant-based meat alternatives. Every one contained fungal toxins

Every one of 212 plant-based meat alternatives and drinks tested in the UK contained at least one naturally occurring fungal toxin, though concentrations remained below recommended EU guideline levels. Researchers say the bigger question is whether regularly eating large amounts of these foods could lead to potentially concerning cumulative exposure over time.

science  Aug 28, 2026

Science Daily

Scientists tracked 4,500 animals and found a surprising human effect

Scientists tracking thousands of animals found that our physical presence can reshape where wildlife moves and lives, sometimes as strongly as roads, cities, and other human development. Because different species reacted in very different ways, conservation efforts may need to become much more targeted.

science  Aug 28, 2026

Science Daily

Why scientists asked 1,000 people to bury their underwear

More than 1,000 volunteers buried cotton underwear across Switzerland to help scientists measure how active different soils are. The faster the fabric disappeared, the more biological activity was taking place underground. Gardens showed the fastest decomposition, while lawns had the least, revealing how strongly land management can shape soil life.

science  Aug 28, 2026

NASA News

APOD: 2026 August 28 – The Sky Turns Above Paranal

APOD Science APOD APOD: 2026 August 28 – The… Today’s APOD Archive Submissions Index Search Calendar RSS Education About Discuss   APOD Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. The Sky […]

science  Aug 28, 2026

NASA News

The Forested Floodplains of Congaree National Park

The meandering Congaree River sustains towering forest ecosystems and fashions oxbow lakes as it shifts across its floodplain.

science  Aug 28, 2026

Science Daily

Scientists find a huge hidden ice reservoir beneath Utah’s mountains

Beneath the rocky slopes of Mount Timpanogos lies far more ice than anyone walking across the surface might suspect. Researchers used gravity measurements to map the buried glacier in 3D and found it is about 83% ice, with enough frozen water to fill 600 Olympic swimming pools. Their findings suggest rock glaciers form as falling debris buries persistent snow and preserves it for thousands of years. Similar formations around the world may collectively store tens of gigatons of hidden water.

science  Aug 28, 2026