Radiator

Astronomers are highlighting a firework-like supernova remnant produced by a stellar explosion that people on Earth witnessed 845 years ago, around the year 1181. The glowing structure, with wispy filaments radiating outward, is the leftover debris of that historic event. The striking images have drawn attention for connecting a modern astronomical object to an explosion recorded by observers centuries ago.

Smokers are exposed to low levels of radiation because tobacco plants naturally absorb radioactive polonium-210 and lead-210 from soil and fertiliser. When inhaled through cigarette smoke, these isotopes accumulate in the lungs, giving smokers a small but ongoing radiation dose over a lifetime. The topic has drawn renewed attention online as people compare everyday radiation sources.

The European Union is pushing to monitor potential unauthorised efforts to block out the sun, amid concern that rising temperatures could tempt governments or private actors into unsanctioned geoengineering experiments. Officials want a system to detect and track solar radiation modification attempts, which scientists warn carry major risks and lack global governance. The debate highlights growing unease as climate targets slip and once-fringe technologies gain attention.

The International Atomic Energy Agency is holding a global symposium on dosimetry in Vienna, focused on precision in radiation medicine. The event brings together specialists to discuss accurate measurement of radiation doses in medical diagnosis and treatment, a key factor in patient safety and effective radiotherapy. The IAEA announced the symposium through its official channels.

Physicists have outlined how a photon carrying around 300 teraelectronvolts of energy could survive the journey to Earth, an unusually high energy for light. Such photons are expected to be destroyed by interactions with background radiation on the way, so explaining its arrival sheds light on extreme cosmic accelerators and the distances involved. The finding is drawing attention among astronomy and physics enthusiasts discussing high-energy gamma-ray observations.

AMD is reportedly positioning itself in the space-grade semiconductor market, which is projected to reach $5.78 billion by 2034. The company aims to supply radiation-hardened processors and related chips for satellites and space systems. Details about specific products, partners, or timelines remain limited, and the report has so far drawn little public reaction or independent confirmation.

Google's Project Suncatcher proposes running AI chips in space, with satellites orbiting Earth to harness continuous solar power for large-scale computing. The idea is pitched as a potential breakthrough that could reshape how AI infrastructure is built, easing energy and cooling limits on the ground. Commentators and educators are breaking down the technical ambitions and challenges, from launch costs to radiation and heat management.

NASA, SpaceX and China are all developing plans for crewed missions to Mars, with the 2030s seen as a possible window for the first attempts. Major hurdles remain, including radiation exposure, life support systems, long travel times and landing heavy spacecraft on the Martian surface.

New analysis of particles from the Chernobyl exclusion zone shows that nuclear fuel remaining from the 1986 disaster is far more stable than scientists expected, even after nearly four decades of corrosion and radiation exposure. The findings offer fresh insight into how spent nuclear fuel degrades, with implications for long-term waste storage and reactor safety research worldwide.

A medical explainer addresses why heart damage can emerge years after cancer treatment. Certain cancer therapies, including some chemotherapy drugs and chest radiation, can injure heart muscle and blood vessels, with effects surfacing long after treatment ends. Clinicians stress the importance of long-term follow-up care and heart monitoring for cancer survivors so late-appearing cardiac problems can be detected and managed early.

Scientists report that Earth lies in the direct path of a newly described type of cosmic object called a 'microblazar', a compact jet-emitting source pointed towards our planet. The announcement has caught attention because objects with jets aimed at Earth, like blazars, are rare and allow astronomers to study high-energy processes, raising questions about what this smaller counterpart is and what its radiation means for us.

AMD has developed a radiation-hardened, space-grade processor designed to operate reliably for up to 15 years in orbit, aimed at long-duration satellite and deep-space missions planned around 2026. The chip is intended to withstand harsh radiation and extreme temperatures, extending AMD's reach beyond consumer and data-center markets into aerospace, where it will compete with established radiation-tolerant chip suppliers.

AMD has introduced the Versal XQRVC1902, a radiation-tolerant adaptive computing chip designed for spacecraft, rated for missions lasting up to 15 years. Built on AMD's Versal architecture, the part is aimed at satellite and deep-space applications where reliability over long durations is critical. The announcement highlights AMD's growing push into the aerospace and defense semiconductor market, where it competes with established space-grade chip suppliers.

Penn Medicine has announced a joint venture aimed at developing proton therapy centers, expanding access to an advanced form of radiation treatment that targets tumors with high-energy particle beams. The move signals continued growth in the cancer care market, where health systems are increasingly partnering with private investors to fund expensive treatment facilities.

New coverage explains how space radiation can trigger a biological cascade that leads to cancer, outlining the mechanisms by which high-energy particles damage cells and DNA. The report highlights growing concern about health risks for astronauts on long-duration missions, as space agencies plan extended travel to the Moon and Mars where shielding from cosmic radiation is limited.

Semiconductor Engineering reports that chips designed for extreme environments — such as space, automotive, and industrial settings — are being pushed to their physical limits by heat, radiation, and mechanical stress. The piece examines how engineers are adapting chip design, materials, and packaging to keep devices reliable where ordinary silicon would fail.