Sunday, March 15, 2026

Astronomers have observed evidence of a cataclysmic collision between two exoplanets orbiting a distant star, with debris from the impact creating eclipses that bear striking similarities to the collision believed to have created Earth's moon billions of years ago.^[1]

Scientists analyzing gravitational-wave data have detected an unprecedented elliptical orbit in a neutron star-black hole merger, contradicting the long-held expectation that such pairs settle into circular orbits before collision—the first time both eccentricity and precession have been measured together in such an event.^[2]

Researchers at the University of Geneva have discovered that D-cysteine, a rare mirror-image version of the amino acid cysteine, can dramatically slow the growth of certain cancers while leaving healthy cells largely unaffected, offering a potential new approach to cancer treatment.^[3]

Researchers at the University of Queensland have identified a metabolic dysfunction in brain cells that may underlie depression, finding that cells in people with major depressive disorder produce more energy molecules at rest but struggle to increase energy production when needed.^[4]

Scientists at Heriot-Watt University have reconstructed evidence of a massive asteroid impact that struck the North Sea over 65 million years ago, triggering a 330-foot tsunami that would have devastated surrounding coastlines.^[5]

French President Emmanuel Macron has offered to mediate ceasefire negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, stating that Lebanese leadership is open to direct discussions as the conflict tied to the U.S.-Israel operation against Iran enters its third week.^[6]

NASA has selected eight student teams as finalists in the 2026 Gateways to Blue Skies Competition, with projects focused on innovations in aircraft maintenance including robotic inspections, augmented reality smart glasses, and machine learning systems.^[7]