Earth

Scientists are developing new ways to control mosquitoes as warmer temperatures lengthen mosquito seasons and expand the range of dangerous diseases like malaria and dengue. The mosquito kills more people than any other animal on earth, and researchers warn that longer warm periods give the insects more time to spread illness, prompting renewed efforts in prevention and control.

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission can single-handedly approve massive spaceflight projects, such as large satellite constellations, that could permanently alter the appearance of the night sky for everyone on Earth. Space law experts note that despite growing outcry from astronomers and environmentalists, there is very little other regulatory oversight, leaving the agency with near-total authority over these ventures.

A new study warns that North Korea's nuclear weapons tests have caused more than 1,000 earthquakes around the country's test site. Researchers link the seismic activity to underground detonations, raising concerns about structural damage, possible leaks of radioactive material, and the stability of the Punggye-ri test area as tremors continue even after testing paused.

Four environmental organizations filed a petition asking the Federal Communications Commission to reverse its approval of a startup's plan to beam on-demand sunlight from space to Earth. The groups argue the agency ignored the project's potential impacts on wildlife and astronomy, reigniting debate over how satellite and space-based ventures are regulated.

Google is planning to launch an experimental satellite into orbit in what is being described as Big Tech's first move toward putting A.I. data centers in space. The project points to the growing pressure on computing capacity and energy supplies as artificial intelligence expands, with companies exploring orbit as a possible new frontier for infrastructure.

An earthquake struck the Los Angeles area, rattling buildings and prompting many residents to report feeling strong shaking. Early reports did not indicate major damage or injuries, but officials urged people in the region to check for hazards and be ready for possible aftershocks. The quake quickly became one of the most discussed topics as locals shared their experiences online.

Scientists have captured a subduction zone off Vancouver Island in the process of tearing itself apart, suggesting these massive tectonic systems may die piece by piece rather than all at once. The finding offers new insight into how subduction zones end over geological time, with implications for understanding seismic hazards in the Pacific Northwest, where the Cascadia zone poses earthquake and tsunami risks.

A new study reports that Earth microbes were able to survive conditions simulating the ocean of Enceladus, Saturn's icy moon, which is thought to hold a subsurface saltwater sea. The finding suggests life could endure in environments similar to those on the moon, fuelling interest in future missions to sample Enceladus and strengthening the case that it may be habitable.

Polish space startup Eycore is expanding as demand grows for satellite intelligence, with Bloomberg reporting that the end of the post-Cold War 'peace dividend' is driving governments and industry to invest more heavily in space-based surveillance and earth observation. The company is positioned to benefit from rising European defence and security spending, particularly among NATO members near the eastern flank.

Astronomers report that a stellar remnant, described as a zombie star, is repeatedly flashing toward Earth as it wobbles, with the pulses apparently caused by a large expelled cloud of gas. Researchers are calling the observations groundbreaking, saying they offer a rare look at the behavior of a star after it has survived or undergone an explosive event.

An astronomer is tracking how Starlink satellites gradually sink in their orbits and using that data as a 'planetary barometer' to measure conditions in Earth's upper atmosphere. The idea is that changes in satellite orbital decay reveal atmospheric density, offering a novel scientific use for the thousands of SpaceX satellites in low Earth orbit.

NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has started transmitting data to Earth ahead of the start of its regular science observations. The agency tested whether ground stations could handle the incoming data stream once the telescope begins full operations. The trials involved ground stations operated by three agencies, including Japan's JAXA. The telescope's early data transmissions mark a key step toward the start of its planned survey mission.

A new report suggests scientists may have misinterpreted evidence dating back some two billion years, with potential implications for how Earth's early history is understood. The finding is drawing attention in science media, as re-evaluating such ancient clues could reshape assumptions about the planet's past conditions and evolution.

Scientists have observed that the amount of dust in Earth's atmosphere has declined, reversing a previous trend. NBC News reports the shift is described as mysterious, with the cause of the reversal not yet explained. Dust in the atmosphere affects climate, air quality and weather patterns, so researchers are paying close attention to what is driving the change.

New research reported by ScienceDaily describes geological activity tearing apart the Earth's crust beneath the Pacific Northwest of North America. The finding concerns the Cascadia region, where tectonic forces are said to be slowly splitting the seabed and coastal crust. Geologists say the discovery sheds light on how tectonic plates deform and how the region's earthquake hazards may evolve over time.

A study published in Science argues that a Mega El Niño pattern, producing extreme and prolonged climate swings, triggered the end-Permian mass extinction around 252 million years ago, the deadliest extinction event in Earth's history. The researchers say runaway warming destabilised ecosystems beyond what species could tolerate. The paper is being shared widely, with an open-access version of the full text available.

A spacecraft built to explore icy moons where life could exist is flying close by Earth, using the planet's gravity to adjust its course. The maneuver is part of a long journey toward the outer solar system, where scientists hope to study oceans beneath the moons' surfaces. The flyby has drawn attention as a milestone in the search for conditions suitable for life beyond our planet.

Scientists report that the Earth's crust beneath Italy is 'unzipping,' a process they say is driving seismic activity along the Apennine mountain range. The finding offers a new explanation for the earthquakes that regularly strike the Italian peninsula and is drawing attention for its striking description of how the crust is gradually pulling apart.

NPR examines whether humanity is prepared for the discovery of life beyond Earth. The piece explores how scientists searching for biosignatures on distant planets would confirm — and communicate — such a find, and what it would mean for society. It asks whether our scientific methods, institutions, and public discourse are equipped to handle evidence that could reshape humanity's understanding of its place in the universe.

Two earthquakes struck California on Sunday morning with little warning, according to early reports. Details on the magnitude, epicenter and any damage or injuries remain limited, but the back-to-back quakes have drawn attention as residents report feeling the ground shake. Authorities are likely monitoring the area for aftershocks as more information emerges.

The European Space Agency has awarded contracts to French cloud provider OVHcloud and IT services firm CGI to build a new system for handling Earth observation data. The platform will support the processing and distribution of the large volumes of satellite data ESA collects, strengthening European capacity in space data infrastructure.

New research suggests the gravitational pull of the Sun and Moon, which drives tides in the Earth's crust, may help trigger earthquakes. Scientists believe they have identified the mechanism by which these small tidal stresses can nudge faults already close to slipping, potentially explaining why some quakes occur at particular tidal phases.

The New York Times reports on a scientific discovery connected to an $80 motel room that researchers say could shed light on the origins of life. Details of the finding and the scientists involved remain limited, but the story highlights how an ordinary roadside room became tied to research into how life first emerged on Earth.

Scientists report the discovery of a so-called "fire amoeba", an organism said to survive at temperatures beyond what was thought to be life's upper limit. If confirmed, the find would force a rethink of the thermal boundaries of life on Earth, with implications for the search for life in extreme environments such as deep-sea vents and possibly other planets.