Saturday, September 26, 2026

NASA's Roman Space Telescope has successfully powered up its 300-megapixel infrared camera in space, bringing the mission closer to beginning science operations in 2027.^[1]

Scientists have captured detailed images of a subduction zone off Vancouver Island in the process of tearing itself apart, revealing that massive tectonic plates may die piece by piece rather than all at once.^[2]

Brain scans have revealed that long COVID may damage dopamine-releasing neurons in the brain, potentially explaining persistent fatigue, brain fog, and loss of motivation experienced by some patients.^[3]

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the U.S. and China have reached a new trade arrangement during his summit with President Trump in Washington, with both leaders describing the meetings as productive.^[4]

NASA, SpaceX, and international partners have completed a Flight Readiness Review and approved plans for the Crew-13 launch to the International Space Station, targeted for no earlier than October 1.^[5]

Scientists have discovered an "impossible" cellular survival pathway that could eventually help make some cancers more vulnerable to treatment, published in Nature Chemical Biology.^[6]

The 2026 Asian Games in Japan's Aichi Prefecture continue with swimming at Tokyo Aquatics Centre, where China's Zhang Zhanshuo won a record seventh gold medal in the tournament.^[7]

The Republic of San Marino became the 76th signatory to the Artemis Accords, joining the coalition of nations committed to peaceful and responsible space exploration.^[8]

NASA engineers have completed testing on a new CubeSat that will demonstrate a dual-mode propulsion system using a single, non-toxic fuel tank to power two different types of engines, designed to make spaceflight safer and more efficient.^[9]

Researchers have confirmed a rare, switchable electrical property in hafnium oxide thin films, a discovery that could open doors to next-generation electronics, high-density energy storage, and improved computer memory.^[10]