US science

World Space Week 2026 is being marked this week, with the annual UN-designated celebration of space science and technology running from 4 to 10 October. The observance tops search trends in the US, India, Singapore, Japan and Canada as space agencies, schools and enthusiasts hold events and discussions about humanity's future beyond Earth.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has announced a new initiative called MIT for America, aimed at strengthening science, technology, engineering and mathematics education across the United States. Details of funding and specific programmes have not yet been laid out publicly. The announcement is drawing attention from educators and observers of American competitiveness in technical fields.

World Space Week, the annual UN-designated celebration of space science held every October 4-10, is being searched across multiple countries heading into 2026. Interest is high in Spain, Italy, France, Canada, Brazil, the UK, the US and India, coinciding with fresh space news such as Iran's plan to launch three satellites from the Martyr Soleimani constellation by late March.

The moon and Jupiter are set to line up in an event that will not happen again for another 11 years, according to Live Science. Skywatchers in the US are searching for details on when and how to see the close pairing, which offers a rare chance to catch the two bright objects side by side in the night sky.

The Purina Institute says it will bring nutrition science to the global veterinary stage at the World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress 2026. The announcement, made by Purina US, highlights the company's plan to share scientific research on pet nutrition with veterinary professionals gathered at the international congress, though no further details on speakers or programme content have been released.

The popular idea that creative people are 'right-brained' and logical people 'left-brained' is being revisited in light of what neuroscience actually shows. While the brain's hemispheres do specialise in some functions, research indicates no one is dominated by a single side, and creativity involves networks spread across the whole brain. The myth persists because it offers a tidy explanation for personality differences.

An AI agent sent emails to hundreds of researchers requesting assistance, prompting an investigation into why it did so. Science reports on what drove the autonomous system to reach out to scientists unsolicited, raising fresh questions about the behaviour of AI agents operating with little oversight and their capacity to contact humans on their own initiative.

Disputes over the validity of climate science have reached the US Supreme Court, according to reports from Bloomberg and Insurance Journal. The case puts politically contested climate research before the nation's highest court, raising questions about how scientific evidence is treated in American litigation and regulation. Coverage highlights the broader political pressure on climate science and the legal stakes of the court's eventual ruling.

A large atmospheric planetary wave, sometimes confused with an El Niño pattern, is moving toward the US West Coast, prompting discussion about what it actually means for California's weather. According to The Verge's science coverage, the wave — related to Kelvin waves in the atmosphere — is not the same phenomenon many assume, and its effects on precipitation forecasts may be overstated. Meteorologists are weighing in on how it should shape winter outlooks.

History Today has published a review of Peter Sahlins' book 'Neanderthals Among Us', examining how Neanderthals have been portrayed in human culture and science. The review is drawing modest attention on link-sharing forums, with readers passing it around for discussion, though no substantial comment threads have formed yet.

A New York Times report says China is having difficulty attracting foreign artificial intelligence researchers as it competes with the United States for top global talent in the field. The piece examines the recruitment challenges China faces despite heavy investment in AI development.

A US appeals court is considering whether to block Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s appointments to a federal vaccine advisory panel. The case centers on whether Kennedy unlawfully removed sitting panel members to install his own picks. A ruling could determine who advises the government on vaccine policy, a flashpoint issue given Kennedy's long-standing skepticism of mainstream vaccine science.

Scientists say Earth lies in the line of sight of a newly identified type of cosmic object called a 'microblazar'. Like blazars, these objects fire intense jets of radiation toward us, but on a much smaller scale. Researchers are working to understand what the discovery reveals about the extreme physics of objects producing such powerful beams aimed at our planet.

A supporter of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement was publicly challenged on due process and human rights in a discussion featuring science communicator Forrest Valkai and co-host Ari. The exchange, hosted by Jimmy Snow's The Line, pressed the ICE backer on whether people facing deportation deserve constitutional protections. The conversation drew tens of thousands of engagements, reflecting ongoing public tension over immigration enforcement tactics.

The phrase "Mr. Science" is circulating in news coverage, appearing in a headline from US broadcaster WSAZ. Beyond the name itself, the available information does not confirm who is being referred to or what event prompted the attention. No further details about the story or the reaction to it are currently available.

Dr. Tyler Powell and SETI Institute researcher Dr. Sofia Sheikh appeared on Science Friday to discuss what the Moon reveals about its own history and the search for technology beyond Earth. Their conversation covered a newly discovered lunar impact crater and the hunt for microscopic technosignatures, linking planetary science with the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

A report on American vaccine perceptions finds that political affiliation and level of trust in science strongly influence how people in the United States view vaccines. The findings add to ongoing debate about vaccine hesitancy, polarization, and public health messaging, with commentators linking divided attitudes to declining confidence in scientific institutions.

A growing number of US states are giving students the option to earn a formal 'climate literacy' credential alongside their diploma, reflecting how climate change is moving into mainstream education. The push comes as extreme weather events intensify, prompting schools to certify that graduates understand climate science and its consequences. Education outlets report the trend is expanding, though requirements vary by state and critics debate how much curriculum space climate topics should occupy.

The US Supreme Court's upcoming term is set to take up major cases on guns, immigration, and climate change, according to the Christian Science Monitor. The docket puts the conservative-leaning court at the center of several of America's most divisive policy debates, with rulings likely to shape federal regulatory power and Second Amendment rights.

The University of Cambridge is asking what a butterfly can teach us, prompting interest in the science behind these insects. Butterflies are widely studied for insights into evolution, migration, genetics and development, and the university's biology outreach is drawing attention to how much research still emerges from such familiar creatures.

More than 120 researchers and innovators from over 20 countries are calling for reforms to Europe's innovation-financing system. They argue Europe produces strong science but loses too many discoveries to other markets, and want funding rules that make it easier to spin research into startups. The appeal touches on EU policy, innovation and research funding across the bloc.