Latest Science News
Young galaxy cluster found far hotter and earlier than cosmological models predict
Astronomers have discovered galaxy cluster SPT2349-56, filled with intensely hot gas just 1.4 billion years after the Big Bang, far earlier than theory allows for such extreme heating. The gas is at least five times hotter than predicted, suggesting powerful energy injection from emerging supermassive black holes and challenging standard models of how clusters grow and heat over cosmic time.
NASA astronomers report discovery of a nearly starless dark-matter–dominated galaxy
Researchers using radio telescopes and the Hubble Space Telescope have identified “Cloud-9,” a galaxy-like object rich in gas but essentially devoid of detectable stars. Such long-theorized starless galaxies are thought to be dominated by dark matter, offering a new laboratory for studying galaxy formation and the distribution of dark matter in the local universe.
Argus Array project to build world’s largest sky-survey telescope system
UNC-Chapel Hill scientists are leading construction of the Argus Array, a telescope system designed to observe the entire northern nighttime sky simultaneously and catch brief cosmic events in real time. The array will generate about 2,000 gigabits of data per second and rely on AI and machine learning to rapidly identify supernovae, neutron star mergers, and exoplanet transits for follow-up by observatories worldwide.
New CEPI–Oxford initiative targets multivalent vaccines against multiple deadly filoviruses
Researchers at the University of Oxford, supported by up to $26.7 million from CEPI, will develop vaccines that protect against several lethal filoviruses, including Ebola, Sudan, Bundibugyo and Marburg viruses. The project will test ChAdOx and mRNA platform technologies as rapid-response, broadly protective vaccines that support CEPI’s “100 Days Mission” to counter future pandemic threats quickly.
International Space Station marked as entering its ‘decade of results’ in orbital science
NASA highlights that nearly 25 years of experiments aboard the International Space Station are now yielding a surge of practical breakthroughs, from advanced X-ray technologies to compact medical ultrasound devices for remote care. Station research is also refining exercise, monitoring, and nutritional strategies for astronaut health, while maturing technologies needed for future Moon and Mars missions.
Biotech outlook for 2026 emphasizes next-gen gene editing and AI-enabled drug discovery
A 2026 biotech analysis forecasts inflection points in areas such as human-relevant testing models, spatial biology, and next-generation gene editing entering clinical validation and regulatory review. The report notes that AI-driven pipelines and new regulatory frameworks are reshaping how labs operate, pushing advances from early discovery toward large-scale adoption in medicine and therapeutics.
Clinical researchers call for shift away from incrementalism toward bold therapeutic innovation
Clinical leaders argue that in 2026 research priorities should move beyond small incremental improvements, especially in areas like ovarian cancer and autoimmune disease where major breakthroughs are lacking. They advocate for modality-level innovations such as synthetic allogeneic iMSC cell therapies and greater use of individualized ‘n=1’ study designs enabled by big data, wearables, and continuous biomarker monitoring.
Chemical sciences forecast focus on plastics recycling, GLP‑1 drugs, and AI’s realistic role in R&D
C&EN’s 2026 preview anticipates scientific and policy debates around chemical methods to convert polymers into monomers or valuable chemicals as part of tackling plastic waste. It also highlights the expanding impact of GLP‑1 drugs beyond diabetes and obesity, the shifting geography of chemical industry power, and a more tempered but pervasive integration of AI throughout drug discovery workflows.
January 2026 funding calls signal pivot toward applied deep-tech and measurement innovation
A survey of new global funding opportunities shows a tilt toward implementation-focused research, including AI forecasting, bioeconomy projects, and deep-tech instrumentation challenges. Notably, the Royal Society’s Paul Instrument Fund is seeking proposals for novel instruments that can measure physical phenomena in physics and biophysics, emphasizing broad scientific value and real-world applicability.
Science News highlights broad advances across disciplines in its early‑2026 coverage
The latest issue of *Science News* aggregates cutting-edge research across fields such as physics, biology, space science, and the environment, reflecting the wide scope of current scientific progress. While topics range widely, the publication underscores how rapid advances in multiple domains are increasingly interlinked through shared tools like AI, big data, and new imaging technologies.