Thursday, March 5, 2026

The Evo 2 AI model, trained on 9 trillion DNA base pairs from over 128,000 species across all domains of life, has been published in Nature, capable of accurately predicting disease-causing mutations in human genes and designing new genomes as long as simple bacteria.^[1]

Researchers in China have produced the clearest evidence yet of hexagonal diamond, a rare form of carbon that could be harder than conventional diamond and has potential applications in cutting tools, thermal management, and quantum sensing.^[2]

Scientists at Rockefeller University have built a cellular atlas mapping how aging reshapes the body across 21 organs, studying nearly 7 million cells and identifying genetic hotspots that could become targets for anti-aging therapies.^[3]

A total lunar eclipse on March 3, 2026 turned the full moon a deep crimson red and was visible to billions of people across the Americas, Asia, and Oceania, with totality lasting 58 minutes—the last total lunar eclipse until New Year's Eve 2028.^[4]

The 2026 Formula 1 season begins this weekend at Melbourne's Australian Grand Prix with Cadillac entering as the 11th team, bringing the grid to 22 cars and marking the first F1 race with more than ten teams since 2016.^[5]

Scientists at Rice University have produced the first comprehensive molecular atlas of an Alzheimer's brain using laser imaging and AI, revealing that chemical changes extend beyond amyloid plaques and suggesting the disease involves whole-brain metabolic disruption.^[6]

The U.S. and Israel continue military operations against Iran for a fifth day, with the death toll in Iran surpassing 1,000 according to Iranian state media, as Tehran's retaliatory strikes have disrupted oil flows and closed the Strait of Hormuz to shipping.^[7]

French President Emmanuel Macron announced updates to France's nuclear deterrence doctrine in a keynote speech, inviting European allies to participate in nuclear deterrence exercises as part of a strategy to complement NATO's nuclear mission.^[8]

Shipping giant Maersk has suspended all vessel crossings through the Strait of Hormuz and paused Trans-Suez sailings through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait following Iran's closure of the strategic waterway, through which nearly a quarter of the world's seaborne oil supplies pass.^[9]

Japanese startup Space One's third attempt to launch its Kairos rocket was cancelled after its safety system activated, continuing the company's efforts to become the first in Japan to put a satellite into orbit using a rocket developed solely by the private sector.^[10]