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- 1U.S. Moves to Break China's Grip on Critical Minerals●See How the U.S. Is Attacking China’s Control of Critical Minerals
The Wall Street Journal reports on U.S. efforts to challenge China's dominance over critical minerals such as rare earths, which are essential for electronics, electric vehicles and defense systems. The report examines how Washington is working to build alternative supply chains and reduce reliance on Chinese processing and exports.
- 2Cheap motel room yields discovery on origins of life●In an $80 motel room, a discovery to shed light on the origins of life
A scientist working from an $80-a-night motel room has reportedly made a discovery that could shed light on how life first emerged on Earth. The unusual setting — ordinary budget accommodation rather than a laboratory — is drawing as much attention as the finding itself, with readers debating how low-cost, improvised research conditions could produce results relevant to one of science's biggest open questions.
- 3Copper boom for electric cars threatens Andean vicuña habitat●Save # vicuña from # electric # cars https:// news.mongabay.com/2026/09/copp er-boom-fueling-energy-transition-puts-eart
A Mongabay report warns that surging copper demand driven by the energy transition and electric vehicle production is putting Earth's wildlands at risk, including habitats of the vicuña in the Andes. Conservationists are highlighting the tension between clean-energy mining expansion and biodiversity protection, urging that wildlife and ecosystems not be sacrificed to electrification.
- 4Scientists seek new ways to fight mosquitoes as climate warms●Scientists explore new ways to target mosquitoes as warming climate expands threat
Researchers are developing new methods to control mosquitoes as warming temperatures lengthen mosquito seasons and expand the range of dangerous diseases such as malaria and dengue. The mosquito kills more people than any other animal on Earth, and scientists warn that longer warm periods give the insects more time to spread illness, prompting renewed focus on innovative control strategies.
- 5U.S. Government Seizes 54-Pound Martian Meteorite Sold at Auction●U.S. Government seizes 54-pound Martian meteorite sold at auction last year
The U.S. government has seized a 54-pound Martian meteorite that was sold at auction last year, with the case drawing attention because of involvement from Jeanine Pirro, who is reported to argue that the rock now belongs to America. The dispute raises questions about who legally owns meteorites found on Earth and whether private sales of such rare space objects are valid.
- 6
NASA's Mars Sample Return mission, intended to bring rocks collected by the Perseverance rover back to Earth, has reportedly been cancelled, according to a report in Science. The long-troubled program had faced ballooning costs and schedule delays, and its demise would mark a major setback for planetary science and the search for signs of ancient life on Mars.