Latest Science News
Hubble reveals hidden companion shaping red supergiant Betelgeuse
Astronomers using **Hubble Space Telescope** data have confirmed Betelgeuse has a long-suspected **companion star**, nicknamed *Siwarha*. The companion carves a dense ‘wake’ through Betelgeuse’s atmosphere about every six years, explaining puzzling brightness and spectral changes and offering new insight into how massive stars evolve and eventually explode as supernovae.
New “superkilonova” candidate may be most powerful merger explosion ever seen
Researchers report evidence for a **double cosmic explosion** that could be the first known **superkilonova**, an event even more energetic than typical neutron‑star mergers. The signal appears to show a kilonova followed by an extra-bright second phase, which, if confirmed, would challenge current models of how heavy elements and extreme transients are produced in the universe.
NASA’s James Webb identifies ‘astronomy’s platypus’ galaxies in early universe
Astronomers using the **James Webb Space Telescope** have identified a set of unusual early galaxies dubbed **“astronomy’s platypus”** because they defy standard categories. These galaxies exhibit unexpected spectral features and dust properties for their age, suggesting that galaxy formation and dust production in the young universe were more diverse and rapid than previously thought.
Webb’s Pandora smallsat set to probe exoplanet atmospheres
NASA is preparing to launch **Pandora**, a small satellite designed to study the **atmospheres of exoplanets** by simultaneously observing stars and their planets. Pandora will help disentangle stellar activity from planetary signals, improving measurements of atmospheric composition and aiding the search for potentially habitable worlds.
Jill Tarter honored with 2026 Green Sands Prize for SETI leadership
SETI pioneer **Dr. Jill Tarter** has been awarded the **2026 Green Sands Prize**, themed “Scientific Discovery and Human Curiosity,” for her lifetime contributions to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. The award recognizes her role in transforming SETI from a fringe idea into a rigorous scientific field and in communicating how a more “bio‑friendly” cosmos reshapes our understanding of life beyond Earth.
NASA’s Dragonfly rotorcraft mission to Titan passes critical rotor tests
Engineers have completed key **aerodynamic wind‑tunnel tests** of the rotors for **NASA’s Dragonfly** mission, a car‑sized flying lander bound for Saturn’s moon Titan. The tests validated the rotor design for Titan’s dense, cold atmosphere and will feed into high‑fidelity models of flight performance ahead of launch preparations for this ambitious mission to sample multiple sites on Titan.
Lawrence Livermore highlights partnership to advance fusion energy
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory reports a new **partnership to perfect fusion**, building on recent progress at facilities such as the National Ignition Facility. The collaboration focuses on improving target design, diagnostics, and computational modeling with the goal of making inertial confinement fusion more efficient and moving it closer to practical energy applications.
Science magazine warns against “AI slop” while embracing rigorous AI in research
In its first 2026 editorial, *Science* addresses the rise of **“AI slop,”** criticizing low‑quality, uncurated AI-generated scientific content. Editor-in-chief Holden Thorp calls for stronger standards, transparency, and human oversight, while acknowledging that carefully validated AI tools remain powerful aids for discovery and scientific productivity.
Biotech innovators target cancer, obesity, and rare lung disease in 2026 pipeline
An overview of **six biotechs to watch in 2026** highlights advances such as Avacta’s **AVA6000**, which delivers doxorubicin more selectively to tumors and shows sharply reduced cardiac and gastrointestinal toxicity in early trials. Other programs include oral GLP‑1 agonists for obesity and novel treatments for fibrotic lung disease, with several first‑in‑human trials and partnering milestones expected this year.
FDA moves forward on new eye and neuroprotective therapies
Recent regulatory updates include the FDA’s acceptance of a **biologics license application for a thyroid eye disease therapy** and **Breakthrough Therapy Designation** for an investigational neuroprotective drug for optic neuropathies. These developments signal potentially faster pathways to market for treatments that could preserve vision and address serious inflammatory and degenerative eye conditions.