The unusual jobs that take people to the bottom of the world: Life in Antarctica

The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research issued recruitment notices in 2026 for the 46th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica. They need medical professionals and logistics staff to keep research stations running. Selected doctors got a monthly salary over two lakh rupees, plus free boarding and a daily hardship allowance.

SpaceX Starship reaches orbit, deploys 26 Starlink satellites despite engine failure

SpaceX’s Starship reached orbit for the first time on Monday and deployed 26 Starlink satellites during its 14th test flight. The mission got cut short to three hours after an engine failure. SpaceX shares fell 2% on Monday as the company works to put the powerful spacecraft into routine service.

In 1957, a stray dog became the first animal in orbit: What Laika's lonely mission taught scientists

On November 3, 1957, a dog named Laika became the first animal to orbit Earth aboard Sputnik 2. The mission got put together on short notice, and the spacecraft carried life-support equipment. Laika was not expected to return alive, and the mission ended after she died during the flight.

Essential Oil Nanocoatings Could Help Food Stay Fresh for Longer, but There's a Catch

A review published in the journal Coatings on Sep 28 2026 examined how essential-oil nanocoatings keep food fresh. These films reduced spoilage bacteria in meat and dairy products. However, researchers said, "increasing the NE concentration above 2% did not further improve antimicrobial activity," showing that more oil is not always better.

Experimental evidence of altermagnetism in a layered material opens a promising path toward future spintronics

UCF physics professor Madhab Neupane and his team identified altermagnetism in the layered material Co₁/₄TaSe₂. This discovery combines the best traits of ferromagnets and antiferromagnets. Neupane says, "These materials are distinguished from more conventional antiferromagnets by their ability to generate and detect spin currents without the negative effect of producing stray fields."

Assembly pathway reveals how bacteria build protein coils that extend in acid

Researchers from Science Tokyo reported on Sept. 18, 2026, how bacteria build protein coils that extend in acid. The team studied four proteins, RebA, RebB, RebC and RebD, to understand their assembly. They showed that RebC and RebD are critical for the formation of these complex, pH-responsive protein machines.

AI news coverage reveals hierarchy of innovators, regulators and overlooked regions

A study of 43,027 articles published through Dec. 31, 2024, shows news media creates a hierarchy in AI coverage. Massimo Ragnedda said, "The findings reveal a striking hierarchy in who is given visibility and authority in the story of AI." Many regions remain overlooked, while the U.S. and Europe dominate.

Two-color glowing molecule could make wind tunnel tests more accurate

Chemists at The University of Manchester designed a molecule that makes wind tunnel tests more accurate. It emits two colors of light to measure pressure and temperature simultaneously. Dr. Alexander Romanov said, "By measuring blue and red light at once, we've got everything we need to separate the pressure signal."

Plasma treatment helps reveal how molecular coatings dope silicon

Researchers from Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne used plasma treatment to help dope silicon surfaces. They mixed phosphorus molecules with others to tune the dopant levels. The study, published in Small Methods, showed that this method helps control near-surface properties, which is important for building better nanoscale and quantum devices.

Dopamine-based nanotubes combine heat, electrical stimulation and antioxidant release for first time

Researchers at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia developed new organic nanotubes that combine heat, electrical stimulation, and antioxidant release for the first time. These 500-nanometer structures could help treat cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Gianni Ciofani said, "The new nanoparticles could be used to modulate cellular activity," offering a versatile tool.