Lead Story
NASA's Roman Space Telescope could operate twice as long as planned after fuel-saving maneuver
NASA announced this week that a highly precise first mid-course correction burn on August 31, 2026, used just 18 kilograms of fuel out of a budgeted 200 kilograms, and combined with a lighter-than-expected launch mass, the savings could more than double the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope's potential operating life to at least 22 years -- up from an original five-year primary mission with a possible five-year extension. Roman, launched earlier this year to survey the cosmos for dark energy clues and exoplanets, now has a real chance at a mission stretching into the 2040s.
Read more →Lead Story
NASA's Roman Space Telescope could operate twice as long as planned after fuel-saving maneuver
NASA announced this week that a highly precise first mid-course correction burn on August 31, 2026, used just 18 kilograms of fuel out of a budgeted 200 kilograms, and combined with a lighter-than-expected launch mass, the savings could more than double the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope's potential operating life to at least 22 years -- up from an original five-year primary mission with a possible five-year extension. Roman, launched earlier this year to survey the cosmos for dark energy clues and exoplanets, now has a real chance at a mission stretching into the 2040s.
Kimchi bacterium found to help flush nanoplastics from the body in new study
Researchers at South Korea's World Institute of Kimchi reported this week that a kimchi-derived lactic acid bacterium, Leuconostoc mesenteroides CBA3656, binds to nanoplastics under gut-like conditions and roughly doubled the amount of nanoplastics excreted in feces when fed to mice, according to findings published in Bioresource Technology. The results point to a low-cost, food-based probiotic approach to reducing the body's nanoplastic burden, though researchers say human trials are still needed before any dietary recommendations follow.
Read more →Kimchi bacterium found to help flush nanoplastics from the body in new study
Researchers at South Korea's World Institute of Kimchi reported this week that a kimchi-derived lactic acid bacterium, Leuconostoc mesenteroides CBA3656, binds to nanoplastics under gut-like conditions and roughly doubled the amount of nanoplastics excreted in feces when fed to mice, according to findings published in Bioresource Technology. The results point to a low-cost, food-based probiotic approach to reducing the body's nanoplastic burden, though researchers say human trials are still needed before any dietary recommendations follow.
Salmon reclaim nearly 90% of historic range on the Klamath River in first year after dam removal
A year after the largest dam-removal project in US history reopened the Klamath River, salmon have repopulated close to 90% of their pre-dam historic range, according to reporting this week, with the river's restored natural flows also improving water quality and drawing back other imperiled species. Tribes and conservationists who fought for decades to remove the four hydroelectric dams caution the river isn't fully in the clear, citing ongoing water-rights disputes, drought, and dams that remain on Klamath tributaries.
Read more →Salmon reclaim nearly 90% of historic range on the Klamath River in first year after dam removal
A year after the largest dam-removal project in US history reopened the Klamath River, salmon have repopulated close to 90% of their pre-dam historic range, according to reporting this week, with the river's restored natural flows also improving water quality and drawing back other imperiled species. Tribes and conservationists who fought for decades to remove the four hydroelectric dams caution the river isn't fully in the clear, citing ongoing water-rights disputes, drought, and dams that remain on Klamath tributaries.
Kakapo population tops 300 for the first time in 75 years after record breeding season
New Zealand's Department of Conservation confirmed this month that the kakapo population has climbed to 325 birds -- the first time the critically endangered flightless parrot has topped 300 in 75 years -- after 90 chicks from the record 2026 breeding season reached the 150-day independence milestone. The season produced more than 100 hatchlings from at least 256 eggs, shattering the previous best of 85 chicks set in 2019, a result conservationists credit to intensive nest monitoring, supplementary feeding and predator control on the birds' predator-free island sanctuaries.
Read more →Kakapo population tops 300 for the first time in 75 years after record breeding season
New Zealand's Department of Conservation confirmed this month that the kakapo population has climbed to 325 birds -- the first time the critically endangered flightless parrot has topped 300 in 75 years -- after 90 chicks from the record 2026 breeding season reached the 150-day independence milestone. The season produced more than 100 hatchlings from at least 256 eggs, shattering the previous best of 85 chicks set in 2019, a result conservationists credit to intensive nest monitoring, supplementary feeding and predator control on the birds' predator-free island sanctuaries.
Monarch butterflies rebound as fall migration gets underway across North America
Monarch butterflies are moving south through the United States on their roughly 3,000-mile migration to central Mexico this month, buoyed by a strong rebound in numbers: this winter's population survey found monarchs occupying 7.24 acres of Mexican forest, a 64% jump from 4.42 acres the previous winter. Observers in states including Minnesota reported markedly higher sightings this September, though scientists caution the species' populations can swing sharply from year to year and one good winter doesn't erase its longer-term decline.
Read more →Monarch butterflies rebound as fall migration gets underway across North America
Monarch butterflies are moving south through the United States on their roughly 3,000-mile migration to central Mexico this month, buoyed by a strong rebound in numbers: this winter's population survey found monarchs occupying 7.24 acres of Mexican forest, a 64% jump from 4.42 acres the previous winter. Observers in states including Minnesota reported markedly higher sightings this September, though scientists caution the species' populations can swing sharply from year to year and one good winter doesn't erase its longer-term decline.