The Guardian Science

If an alien landed and asked you: ‘What is music?’ what would you play for them?

The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical conceptsIf an alien landed and asked you: “What is this thing you call music?” what would you play for them? And why? Heather, KentPost your answers (and new questions) below or send them to nq@theguardian.com. A selection will be published next Sunday.Due to a production error, a new Notes & Queries question was not published on

science  May 31, 2026

Science Daily

The ocean's health may depend on a tiny microbe inside fish

A surprising new discovery suggests that tiny microbes living inside fish may be helping shape the chemistry of the world’s oceans. Scientists found evidence that bacteria in the guts of marine fish work alongside their hosts to produce calcium carbonate, a mineral that plays an important role in ocean health and carbon storage. For years, researchers believed fish handled this process on their own, but the new findings point to a hidden partnership between fish and microbes.

science  May 31, 2026

Science Daily

The secret to pigeons’ incredible navigation was hiding in their liver

Scientists have uncovered a surprising navigation system in pigeons: iron-filled immune cells in the liver that may act like tiny magnetic sensors. Birds deprived of these cells struggled to find their way home under overcast skies, indicating they rely on Earth’s magnetic field for guidance. The discovery could solve a decades-old mystery about animal navigation and reveal an unexpected connection between immunity and sensing the environment.

science  May 31, 2026

Science Daily

Intermittent fasting triggers surprising changes in the brain

Losing weight may involve rewiring the gut and the brain at the same time. In a study of obese adults, an intermittent fasting-style diet led to significant weight loss, healthier metabolic markers, and notable shifts in gut bacteria. Brain scans also revealed changes in regions tied to appetite, cravings, and self-control. The results suggest the gut microbiome and brain may work together to influence weight-loss success.

science  May 31, 2026

Science Daily

Omega-3 fish oil shows promise against type 2 diabetes

A new study suggests fish oil may help reduce insulin resistance even in people who aren't obese. In diabetic rats, omega-3 supplementation improved blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and inflammation by shifting immune cells into a more anti-inflammatory mode.

science  May 31, 2026

The Guardian Science

Meteor explodes over Massachusetts, setting off loud booms

Meteor was travelling at 75,000 miles per hour (more than 120,000 km/h) at an altitude of 40 miles when it broke apartA meteor crashing toward Earth exploded over the north-eastern United States on Saturday, Nasa said, setting off booms that echoed over the region with a blast equivalent to 300 tons of TNT.The fireball broke up over northeastern Massachusetts and southeastern New Hampshire just after 2pm (1806 GMT), the US space agency’s deputy news chief Jennifer Dooren told AFP in a statement.

science  May 31, 2026

Science Daily

New 3D silicon chip breakthrough could extend Moore’s Law for years

As traditional chip miniaturization slows, researchers have found a way to pack more computing power into the same space by stacking silicon circuits in multiple layers. The new process uses ultra-thin silicon membranes and low-temperature manufacturing techniques to overcome a major obstacle that has long blocked the production of true 3D chips.

science  May 30, 2026

Science Daily

Repairing DNA damage: Scientists discover a surprising new benefit of melatonin

A new study suggests melatonin supplements may help night shift workers boost their body's DNA repair processes, potentially offsetting some of the damage linked to working overnight. The findings are early but raise the possibility of a simple strategy to help reduce long-term health risks associated with night shift work.

science  May 30, 2026

Science Daily

Ancient DNA reveals how women helped transform prehistoric Europe

New DNA evidence shows that Europe’s hunter-gatherers and early farmers interacted far more closely than previously thought, with women likely playing a crucial role in spreading farming across northwestern Europe. Centuries later, the arrival of Bell Beaker migrants triggered another sweeping population transformation that extended all the way to Britain.

science  May 30, 2026

Science Daily

This strange new phase of matter could transform quantum technology

By stacking custom-designed silver nanoparticles like nanoscale LEGO bricks, scientists stabilized a mysterious crystal phase that had never been observed before. The material not only solves a longstanding puzzle in materials science but also exhibits promising quantum properties at room temperature.

science  May 30, 2026

Science Daily

This tomato-soy juice reduced inflammation in just four weeks

A specially formulated tomato-soy juice packed with natural plant compounds may help calm inflammation linked to obesity, according to a new clinical study. Healthy adults with obesity who drank the juice daily for four weeks saw significant reductions in several key inflammatory proteins in their blood, while a control tomato juice did not produce the same effect.

science  May 30, 2026

Science Daily

Caffeine reversed memory problems caused by sleep deprivation

Scientists discovered that sleep deprivation damages a key brain circuit responsible for social memory, making it harder to recognize familiar individuals. In laboratory studies, caffeine restored communication between neurons in this pathway and reversed the memory deficits caused by lost sleep. The effect was remarkably targeted, helping the impaired circuit recover without overstimulating normal brain function.

science  May 30, 2026

Science Daily

Stanford quantum computing breakthrough uses twisted light to work without extreme cooling

A new room-temperature quantum device uses twisted light to entangle photons and electrons, overcoming one of the biggest hurdles in quantum technology. The breakthrough could pave the way for smaller, cheaper quantum systems with applications ranging from secure communications to future AI and computing platforms.

science  May 30, 2026

The Guardian Science

What is a blue micromoon and when is the best time to see it this weekend?

A blue micromoon is a rare spectacle, though it’s not as blue or as micro as you might imagineThis weekend the night skies will feature a rare spectacle – a blue micromoon. We take a look at what the phrase means and how to catch a glimpse of the event. Continue reading...

science  May 30, 2026

The Guardian Science

‘There is no way to stop this’: ‘Biotech Barbie’ Cathy Tie on her mission to genetically modify babies

The Canadian entrepreneur has always pushed the boundaries of gene editing, once attempting to turn horses into unicorns. Now she is set on modifying human embryos – something her controversial ex-husband was jailed for doingOn a Friday evening in late April, Cathy Tie, the Canadian serial entrepreneur and self-styled “Biotech Barbie”, is centre stage at New York City’s famous Carnegie Hall, performing Saint-Saens’ Piano Concerto No 2 on a gleaming Steinway grand piano, accompanied by an orchest

science  May 30, 2026

NASA News

NASA Awards Contract for Johnson Space Center Infrastructure

NASA has selected seven companies to provide construction, revitalization, and infrastructure improvements at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. The Johnson Space Center Multiple Award Construction Contract supports up to $300 million in upgrades to mission‑support facilities, utilities, and equipment across the NASA Johnson campus. All funds must be obligated by Sept. 30, 2026. […]

science  May 29, 2026

NASA News

NASA Hosts SpaceX Crew-11 Astronauts for Public Event at Headquarters

NASA will host a public event featuring three crew members from the agency’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission at 11 a.m. EDT Monday, June 1. The event, which takes place during the crew’s standard postflight visit, will be held in the Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in the Mary W. Jackson building, 300 E. Street SW in […]

science  May 29, 2026

The Guardian Science

Groundbreaking genomic test could spare millions of breast cancer patients chemotherapy

Trial suggests patients with a low test score could be treated with hormone therapy alone with near-identical outcomes‘Like Christmas’: woman’s relief after test finds she can skip chemotherapy Millions of women with breast cancer could be spared chemotherapy with a groundbreaking genomic test, according to the results of a trial that could transform healthcare guidelines worldwide.Treatment for breast cancer, the world’s most prevalent form of the disease, involves surgery to remove tumours. Ch

science  May 29, 2026

The Guardian Science

‘Like Christmas’: woman’s relief after test finds she can skip chemotherapy

Karen Bonham was part of successful trial for genomic test that determines which women with breast cancer can safely avoid chemotherapyGroundbreaking genomic test could spare millions of breast cancer patients chemotherapyA landmark study shows millions of women with breast cancer could skip chemotherapy thanks to a genomic test that determines who needs the treatment and who doesn’t.The randomised international trial specifically looked at whether the test could identify those patients who woul

science  May 29, 2026

NASA News

NASA’s Roman Space Telescope Primary Mirror Gets Last Look

Engineers at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, have completed their final inspection of a key element for the agency’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope: the primary mirror. This 7.9-foot (2.4-meter) mirror will collect and focus light from cosmic objects near and far, helping Roman capture stunning panoramas of space. “The Roman engineering […]

science  May 29, 2026