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Researchers from the University of Zurich started a project in 2021 where 1,000 people buried cotton underwear to test soil health. The study showed that soil organisms broke down the fabric at different speeds. Marcel van der Heijden said, "Our results show that how soil is managed can significantly affect."
Butterflies in India are often spotted around cow dung to perform a behavior called puddling. While nectar provides sugar, these insects need extra minerals like sodium and nitrogen for reproduction. A 2023 study in the Western Ghats showed 26 species used elephant dung to get these essential nutrients for fitness.
Spanish scientists announced the discovery of two new exoplanets, TOI-1752 b and TOI-1752 c, on August 31. These worlds orbit a red dwarf star 337 light-years away. While TOI-1752 b is a scorching lava world, researchers believe TOI-1752 c is a rocky super-Earth that could potentially host liquid water for life.
Anshuman Bhardwaj said we must shift from reacting to disasters in the Himalayas to anticipating them. A study in March showed that warming conditions destabilise ice and rock. Bhardwaj noted, "We need to think of these as cascading hazards," as better planning and monitoring can help save many lives.
A stunning view from space revealed Lake Issyk-Kul, a massive mountain lake in Kyrgyzstan where 118 rivers flow in but none flow out. Nestled in the Tian Shan range at 1,607 metres, the lake stays warm and rarely freezes. It remains a giant closed system that loses water through evaporation.
US President Donald Trump announced plans to create a new US Space Academy to prepare Americans for space careers. His August 28 order started a commission to decide how the institution will work. The academy aims to train scientists and engineers for the growing space sector as missions expand further.
An Indian space architecture firm completed 21 days of isolated habitat operations during the Vyomsetu mission in Poland. The 27-day campaign helped researchers study how crews adapt to confinement. Experts examined human performance and habitat design to prepare for future lunar missions as India works on its own space exploration.
A study published in Nature found that fat tissue retains an obesity memory after weight loss. Researchers said, "The changes were particularly noticeable in fat cells." These molecular shifts in gene activity make it easier to regain weight. This explains why many people struggle to keep the weight off long-term.
A joint ICMR and Kerala Health Department study identified well water as a major risk factor for amoebic meningoencephalitis in 2025. Researchers showed that people using non-chlorinated well water for bathing had 2.95 times higher odds of getting the infection. Many households in Kerala still depend on these water sources.
Scientists found a human-only gene called SRGAP2 that helps explain our brainpower. Carlos Diaz-Salazar said, "This gene helps control the developmental tempo of neurons." The gene makes human microglia mature slowly over years, which helps organize brain circuits. This process creates a stronger network to process and store information.
Two astronauts will conduct history's sixth all-female spacewalk today, September 1. NASA’s Jessica Meir and Sophie Adenot will venture outside the International Space Station at 8:30 a.m. EDT. NASA officials said they "will replace a retroreflector" to support spacecraft navigation. The mission is expected to last about 6.5 hours in total.
NASA delayed the Crew-13 launch after finding a leak on the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Teams are now running tests and reviewing data to ensure safety. The mission will carry four astronauts to the International Space Station for Expedition 75. NASA has not yet announced a new target launch date.