Saturday, September 19, 2026

Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a controlled beam of muonium—an exotic atom made of an antimuon and an electron—that could allow researchers to test for the first time whether gravity acts on second-generation particles the same way it acts on ordinary matter, potentially revealing new physics.^[1]

NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has discovered a 728-foot-wide crater on the Moon that formed in 2024 from a building-sized asteroid impact—the largest newly formed crater ever identified in the solar system, with such impacts estimated to occur only once every 132 years.^[2]

The Bank of Japan raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 1.25%, the highest level in 31 years since 1995, citing concerns that inflation could exceed its 2% target.^[3]

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that Alzheimer's patients with atrial fibrillation who took newer NOAC blood thinners experienced slower cognitive decline compared to those using warfarin or no blood thinners, suggesting an unexpected secondary benefit beyond stroke prevention.^[4]

High-resolution laser scans of an ancient temple wall in Cyprus have revealed 23 previously unknown ship carvings from the Late Bronze Age, expanding archaeological understanding of maritime activity in the region around 3,000 years ago.^[5]

A Progress 96 cargo spacecraft launched from Russia carrying nearly three tons of food, fuel, and supplies to the International Space Station, with docking to the Poisk module scheduled for Saturday.^[6]

Scientists at Hokkaido University discovered that black and green Japanese rice varieties contain unusual beneficial fats and may be digested more slowly than white rice, potentially making them useful ingredients for foods designed to support blood sugar and metabolic health.^[7]

University of Louisville researchers identified a natural compound produced by gut bacteria when digesting foods like pomegranates, walnuts, and berries that may help repair and protect the intestinal lining, potentially informing new treatments for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.^[8]

Korean researchers have developed graphene fibers that efficiently conduct heat using a new processing method, with applications ranging from consumer products like toothbrushes and clothing to advanced materials for electronics, mobility, and aerospace.^[9]

An analysis of 139 clinical trials involving nearly 10,000 patients found that knee braces, water-based therapy, and exercise were among the most effective drug-free treatments for knee osteoarthritis, while high-tech approaches like ultrasound consistently performed worse.^[10]