Not Exactly Rocket Science has transformed and rolled out! I’m now live at ScienceBlogs and hopefully all of you will join me on the new site. You’ll need to update your bookmarks and/or feed readers. URL: http://scienceblogs.com/notrocketscience/ Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/scienceblogs/notro…

A humble shelter operating out of a tent remains the last beacon of hope for the injured and hungry animal population in war-ravaged Gaza, even as its workers and volunteers face their own impossible conditions.“You cannot look at a creature that trusts you and eat in front of it without sharing,” S…

Investors owning more than 100 properties account for a mere one percent of the US single-family housing stock, according to a recent and penetrating analysis by my AEI colleagues. Even at their peak, these firms never represented more than three percent of annual home purchases.
The post America’s…

The NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope has confirmed the source of a super-bright flash of light known as a gamma-ray burst, generated by an exploding massive star when the Universe was only 730 million years old. For the first time for such a remote event, the telescope provided a detection of…

When you picture the ocean, you might imagine peaceful blue waters and an underwater world full of calm and quiet. But beneath the surface, the ocean is actually far from silent — a full-blown symphony of calls, clicks, and crashing currents. From the popping sounds of snapping shrimp to the piercin…

Design-phase component choices directly impact long-term system viability—plan early to avoid costly obsolescence and ensure product longevity.
The post Obsolescence Management Begins at Design appeared first on EE Times.

Incident investigation can be a daunting task in today’s digital landscape, where large-scale systems comprise numerous interconnected components and dependencies DrP is a root cause analysis (RCA) platform, designed by Meta, to programmatically automate the investigation process, significantly redu…

The U.S. National Science Foundation has announced two new Dear Colleague Letters (DCL) and one program solicitation that implement key elements of the Trump administration's executive order...

There are a number of ways to optimize your TV's operating system for faster performance. Here are my go-tos.

A sabotaged decade, a sunken cake, and clean air for kids. Here are a few highlights of Greenpeace work around the world in the past seven days

After months of fighting and countless proposals for a bipartisan compromise, the expiration date for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax subsidies has arrived, with millions of Americans set to feel the pain. Congress had until Dec. 31, 2025 to strike a deal extending tax credits th…

British heavyweight and Olympic gold medalist Anthony Joshua was in a speeding Lexus and survived a crash Monday morning in Nigeria that killed two other people, authorities said

IN A NUTSHELL 🔍 Researchers used digital reconstruction to reveal a 1.5-million-year-old Homo erectus face. 🗺️ The discovery was made at the Gona site in Ethiopia, known for its rich archaeological record. 🧩 The reconstruction process involved high-resolution micro-CT scans and 3D modeling technique…

Russia on Monday promised to retaliate against Ukraine after it said nearly 100 drones had targeted one of President Vladimir Putin's residences, likely throwing a wrench into President Donald Trump’s efforts to end the nearly four-year war."Such reckless actions will not go unanswered.

What chip industry engineers were watching this year.
The post Chip Industry’s Top Videos 2025 appeared first on Semiconductor Engineering.

Recent research suggests that AI chatbots are not merely passive sources of election information; they can actively shape voter attitudes in measurable and durable ways.
The post AI Chatbots Are Reshaping Political Persuasion appeared first on American Enterprise Institute - AEI.

President Donald Trump played cheerleader for the US economy in a prime-time address last night. But in the end, facts on the ground will matter more than words on a teleprompter.
The post Why AI Is Juicing Stocks, Not GDP (Yet) appeared first on American Enterprise Institute - AEI.

A computer pilot helps NASA’s six-wheeled geologist as it searches for rock samples that could be brought to Earth for deeper investigation.

As part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission, four crew members from three space agencies will launch no earlier than Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026, to the International Space Station for a long-duration science expedition. NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway will serve as spacecraft commander and pi…

When we think of snow, we usually think of winter. But did you know that it is always snowing in the ocean? Marine snow isn’t the kind you can sled on — this continuous underwater snowfall sustains life in the deep sea and helps regulate Earth’s climate.  WHAT IS MARINE SNOW? Marine snow is made up …

It might be hard to imagine, but manatees are believed to have inspired sailors’ tales of mermaids and sirens. These gentle giants are far from mythical, but just as captivating.  A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO WEST INDIAN MANATEES West Indian manatees are also known as sea cows – for good reason! These sl…

The singer-songwriter, who came up with Lone Star heroes like Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen, makes his long-awaited return with a dazzling EP

Two of the main sticking points involve territory and the fate of Europe's biggest nuclear plant, which is currently occupied by Russia.

The tiff originated with an AI-generated clip of White passionately saying, "Don't even think about listening to my music, you fascists," in a voice that is clearly not his own.
Jack White Slams Tennessee Representative for Posting AI-Generated, Ragebait Slop of Him Yelling About Trump
Jonah Krueger

The U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (NSF TIP) announced an inaugural investment of nearly $32 million to five teams across the U.S. through the NSF Use-Inspired Acceleration of Protein Design…

The U.S. National Science Foundation today announced two major advancements in America's AI infrastructure: the launch of the Integrated Data Systems and Services (NSF IDSS) program to build out...

Therapeutic antibodies packaged into microparticles could be injected with a standard syringe, avoiding the need for lengthy and often uncomfortable infusions.

Torn between MacBook Air and Pro? We've tested them all to help you make an informed choice.

Rolling Square's AirCard Pro Dual features one of the loudest buzzers I've tested, along with glow-in-the-dark inserts.

The rover has arrived at an area that may show evidence liquid water flowed on this part of Mars for much longer than previously thought.

Top stories highlighted the Institute’s leading positions in world and national rankings; new collaboratives tackling manufacturing, generative AI, and quantum; how one professor influenced hundreds of thousands of students around the world; and more.

NASA’s MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) mission observed the dramatic and unexpected “disappearance” of a stream of charged particles constantly emanating off the Sun, known as the solar wind.

Actions and protests make up the soul of Greenpeace. Every time an activist is climbing an oil rig or holding up a banner, I hope this inspires people across the globe to also take their own action.

Parliamentarians, councils and industry representatives have met at Westminster to discuss the growing number of fires linked to discarded lithium-ion batteries, amid calls for stronger regulation and government support. A cross-sector group of parliamentarians, local government representatives and …

Hi all, This is a quick reminder for anyone still subscribing to the old feed to update your feed-readers. I’ve now moved to ScienceBlogs and I’d hate to lose any readers along the way. I’m sticking to the original mission statement and if anything, I’m writing even more than before. Here are the ne…

The manhunt is on for the thieves in Germany who police say are responsible for stealing money, jewelry and valuables from a bank on Monday. The heist was the work of professionals, according to authorities. NBC News’ Daniele Hamamdjian has the latest.

Comics are routinely dismissed as diversions, harmless entertainment rather than serious cultural texts. Yet they have never been marginal to modern moral imagination. They are among our most widely shared and quietly influential teachers.
The post The Moral Education We Still Get from Comics appear…

American Jews are arguing with one another in a moment of real danger. That fear is heartbreaking and regrettably justified. But fear does not confer moral license. It does not excuse contempt, nor absolve us of the obligation to argue with care rather than cruelty.
The post Civility Is a Discipline…

Russia is the common thread in every intervention.

There is nothing beautiful about how Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” worsens the national nursing and teacher shortage.

Millimeter-wave 5G in India is shifting from a niche technology to a deployable option.
The post What Makes mmWave Practical for India’s 5G Engineering appeared first on EE Times.

Nearly half of Americans do not support President Trump’s efforts surrounding the Russia-Ukraine war, according to a new poll. When asked in The Economist/YouGov poll about their support for “the way Donald Trump is handling the situation with Russia and Ukraine,” 49 percent of respondents said they…

ODATE, Japan — Before students can come out to play at his school, Yoji Hikage has to give the all clear.

Iran is facing its largest demonstrations in years as people hit the streets of Tehran and other cities to protest the country's dismal economic situation

China fired rockets, massed assault ships and flew bombers around Taiwan on Tuesday, simulating a military blockade in a warning to the United States against supporting the Beijing-claimed island.

Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R) said Monday that her caucus pointed conservative YouTuber Nick Shirley in the direction of day care facilities in the state amid concerns over fraud.  Demuth said at a virtual press conference that the state GOP has been “working with” Shirley to address fraud…

Josephine Wentzel spent years tracking down the suspect in her daughter’s death and is now helping others grieving cold cases.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is en route to the U.S. via Canada ahead of a weekend of high-stakes diplomacy and a renewed push for peace amid deadly Russian bombing on Ukraine’s capital

IN A NUTSHELL 🔥 The western U.S. is in a fire deficit, with nearly 38 million hectares lacking natural burns. 🌡️ Climate change and past fire suppression efforts have created conditions for more severe wildfires. 🛠️ Strategies like prescribed burns and mechanical thinning are needed to restore ecolo…

Dozens of people are believed to have died after a fire broke out during New Year's Eve celebrations.

IN A NUTSHELL 📉 The study reveals that limiting warming to 1.5 °C could preserve approximately 100,000 glaciers worldwide. 🌡️ Under a +4 °C warming scenario, only about 18,000 glaciers would survive globally. 🗻 The Alps could see their highest rate of glacier loss between 2033 and 2041, impacting to…

A new technical paper titled “Ultra-Fast, Low-Resistance Nano Gap Electromechanical Switch for Power Gating Applications” was published by researchers at KAIST and Chonnam National University. Abstract “The growing demand for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing accelerates concern…

There was more good health news about the COVID-19 vaccine for infants, kids and adults in December. There’s still time to get the shot this winter.

James Riordan’s new book will help readers wrap their heads around this mysterious, fundamental force of nature.

Data from Axial, the most-monitored underwater volcano, are helping geophysicists hone eruption predictions. For Axial, 2026 is their next bet.

Solve the crossword from our January 2026 issue, in which we take a crack at geological principles

A massive collision between two asteroid-sized bodies around a nearby star offers a rare look at the violent process of planetary construction.

I moved to ScienceBlogs earlier this year. If you want to catch up on what you missed, buy my new book and get 80 of the best blog posts from the last year. From Mexican-waving bees to snow-making bacteria, from the neuroscience of jazz to the psychology of voting, the book covers some of the […]

The spinal column that runs down your back is an identity badge that signifies your membership among the vertebrates – animals with backbones. Vertebrates have arguably the most complex bodies and genomes of any animal group and certainly, our lineage has come a long way from its last common ancesto…

Mark J. Warshawsky discusses the ACA's COVID-era subsidies’ costs, whether they are fair, the fraud they engender, and their adverse consequences for work incentives, as well as the cost and functioning of the health care system.
The post Policy Reasons to Not Extend Covid-Era Enhanced ACA Subsidies…

With the November 2026 midterm elections front and center in the minds of White House politicos, the Trump administration has conveniently announced a $12 billion increase in ad hoc government payments to farmers.
The post Are Farm Level Production Costs Surging? Not So Much. appeared first on Ameri…

Public education is not a consumer good, like a gym membership or a streaming service. It is a civic institution. Conservatives have always recognized that some goods must be funded collectively because everyone benefits from their existence, not merely from direct use.
The post Why Conservatives Sh…

Anyone doubting gold’s dominant status as the world’s safe-haven asset has not been paying attention to its superior performance over its rivals. In its best performance since 1979, over the past year, the gold price increased by around 70 percent,
The post The Gold Rally Has Legs appeared first on …

Calling for Palestinian equality is not antisemitism, no matter what the ADL says.

To say that a society has failed to form its young is not to absolve them of responsibility. It is to insist that responsibility does not emerge spontaneously. It must be cultivated, modeled, and demanded.
The post Responsibility Is Not Victimhood appeared first on American Enterprise Institute - AE…

Trump and Netanyahu should declare a new special relationship that brings both countries even closer than they were in 1962. The sooner Washington and Jerusalem double down on ties, the better for global security and liberty.
The post It’s Time for a New US-Israel Special Relationship appeared first…

Everyone is talking about the decision by the board of the Kennedy Center to rename the institution the Trump Kennedy Center. Sometimes it’s helpful think through exactly how a change is going to work both linguistically and visually, not to say legally, before announcing it.
The post The Donald app…

Clearing your TV's cache can greatly decrease stuttering and improve performance. Here's how to do it on brands like Samsung, LG, and more.

Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove offered a message to high school seniors awaiting early-decision college notifications which was humane, pastoral, and genuinely generous. In a moment of real stress, it did what good moral leadership should do: It steadied people.
The post When College Admissions Become a Verd…

At least 100 were injured when a fire broke out at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, police said. Crans-Montana is a ski resort in the Swiss Alps.

Your Samsung, LG, and even Sony TV comes with notable privacy risks. Here's how to avoid one of the biggest with just a few steps.

Believed to be a remnant of powerful ancient debris flows, Gediz Vallis Ridge is a destination long sought by the rover’s science team.

As 2025 comes to an end, three Post photographers reflect on their experiences covering the stories that defined their year.

Supporters of a casino project say it’s an economic lifeline for Saipan; detractors raise questions about money laundering and ties to Chinese criminals.

In a radio discussion about violence against women, Queen Camilla for the first time described fighting off an attempted sexual assault as a teenager in Britain.

One Russian official called the outage “a break from the endless viewing of unnecessary videos” and urged citizens to deliver holiday greetings in person.

As President Donald Trump’s second term heads toward its second year, his doctrine for the Western Hemisphere, once seen as impractical, is taking real shape.

NASA astronauts will conduct a pair of spacewalks in January outside of the International Space Station to prepare for the installation of a roll-out solar array and complete other tasks. Experts from NASA will preview the spacewalks in a briefing at 2 p.m. EST Tuesday, Jan. 6, at NASA’s Johnson Spa…

NASA is working with commercial partners to create high-performing, reliable propulsion systems that will help small spacecraft safely maneuver in orbit, reach intended destinations across the solar system, and accomplish mission operations.    Two new micropropulsion technologies are being tested i…

With a second Trump Administration at the helm in 2025, NASA marked significant progress toward the Artemis II test flight early next year, which is the first crewed mission around the Moon in more than 50 years, as well as built upon its momentum toward a human return to the lunar surface in prepar…

In the quarter century that humans have lived and worked aboard the International Space Station, astronauts and visitors from around the world have celebrated countless holidays more than 250 miles above Earth while traveling 17,500 miles per hour. Crews have marked Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanuk…

NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston closed 2025 with major progress across human spaceflight, research, and exploration. From Artemis II mission preparations to science aboard the International Space Station, teams at Johnson helped prepare for future missions to the Moon and, ultimately, Mars. O…

In this Oct. 20, 2025, photo, tiny ball bearings surround a larger central bearing during the Fluid Particles experiment, conducted inside the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) aboard the International Space Station’s Destiny laboratory module. A bulk container installed in the MSG, filled with vi…

Guest commentary by Figen Mekik Climate change has become “that” topic – like evolution of species, plate tectonics, or AI where the public has heard so much about it that many think .  Such confidence can be both a good and bad thing.  The upside is that the biggest global societal problem of our t…

In a historical milestone, astronomers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope witnessed the catastrophic collisions in a nearby planetary system. As they observed the bright star Fomalhaut, scientists saw the impact of massive objects around the star. The Fomalhaut system appears to be in a dynam…

Image:
Dwarf stars in a glittering sky

Image:
Ever wondered how planetary systems like our own Solar System form? Thanks to the European Space Agency’s Gaia space telescope, we're getting a unique peek behind the cosmic curtain into these dusty environments.In this collage, we see the images of 31 baby star systems. Click on the white…

Is it an insect? A strange fossil? An otherworldly eye, or even a walnut? No, it’s an intriguing kind of martian butterfly spotted by ESA’s Mars Express.

President Trump on Wednesday blasted Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for comments she made about U.S. Border Patrol agents of Hispanic heritage only taking the job because of their financial situations. “[National Border Patrol Council President] Paul Perez and the Border Patrol have done a fantastic j…

Ready for some wordplay? Sharpen your skills with Slate’s puzzle for Jan. 1, 2026.

"He didn’t want some other ass immortalized.”
Timothée Chalamet Refused Ass Double in Marty Supreme Spanking Scene
Wren Graves

Comedian Toby Morton scooped up the domain before the board officially changed the venue's name.
Trump-Kennedy Center Website Launched by Former South Park Writer
Scoop Harrison

Scientists have developed a groundbreaking tool called Effort.jl that lets them simulate the structure of the universe using just a laptop. The team created a system that dramatically speeds up how researchers study cosmic data, turning what once took days of supercomputer time into just a few hours…

Researchers have created a new kind of 3D computer chip that stacks memory and computing elements vertically, dramatically speeding up how data moves inside the chip. Unlike traditional flat designs, this approach avoids the traffic jams that limit today’s AI hardware. The prototype already beats co…

Chimps may revise their beliefs in surprisingly human-like ways. Experiments showed they switched choices when presented with stronger clues, demonstrating flexible reasoning. Computational modeling confirmed these decisions weren’t just instinct. The findings could influence how we think about lear…

A newly developed AI can predict which diseases specific genetic mutations are likely to cause, not just whether they are harmful. The breakthrough could speed up diagnoses and open new paths for personalized treatment.

A philosopher at the University of Cambridge says there’s no reliable way to know whether AI is conscious—and that may remain true for the foreseeable future. According to Dr. Tom McClelland, consciousness alone isn’t the ethical tipping point anyway; sentience, the capacity to feel good or bad, is …

The U.S. National Science Foundation today announced a new solicitation to establish a National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Operations Center (NAIRR-OC). This marks a critical...

The U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (NSF TIP) on Friday announced the launch of a new initiative designed to launch and scale a new generation of independent research organizations. These…

The U.S. National Science Foundation is investing approximately $30 million in institutions across Montana, Idaho and Louisiana to establish NSF EPSCoR Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (NSF EPSCoR CREST Centers). These centers…