Friday, October 23, 2026

Scientists at the University of Oxford observed virus-like particles assembling themselves molecule by molecule, revealing the surprisingly simple trial-and-error process that allows complex biological structures to form with remarkable precision. The findings, published in Nature, could lead to new ways to disrupt viruses and develop vaccines.^[1]

Prime Medicine treated the first patient in a clinical trial using prime editing to directly alter DNA inside the human body, marking the first time this high-precision CRISPR technique has been applied in vivo. The treatment targets Wilson disease by rewriting DNA in liver cells to fix a mutation that prevents the body from eliminating excess copper.^[2]

Astronomers at the University of Warwick discovered the first known star that would appear genuinely green to human eyes, a white dwarf called WD J1330+6435 located about 326 light-years from Earth. The star's distinctive chartreuse appearance comes from sodium in its atmosphere absorbing orange light after the dead star consumed rocky debris from its former planetary system.^[3]

The International Criminal Court and its officials were awarded the European Union's 2026 Sakharov Prize, the EU's top human rights award. The prize comes less than two weeks after US President Donald Trump announced sanctions against the court and shortly after former ICC judge Navi Pillay received the Nobel Peace Prize.^[4]

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan launched a Canada-Türkiye Strategic Partnership during the first official bilateral visit by a Canadian prime minister to Turkey. The partnership includes a three-year action plan covering trade, defence, energy cooperation, and negotiations toward a free-trade agreement.^[5]

NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope was recognized on TIME's Best Inventions of 2026 list as one of the year's top innovations. The space telescope is designed to study dark energy, exoplanets, and infrared astrophysics.^[6]

A promising minimally invasive treatment for knee arthritis that uses tiny dissolvable particles to block abnormal blood vessels delivered lasting pain relief in a clinical study. Of 194 patients who received the procedure called genicular artery embolization, 80% experienced clinically meaningful pain relief lasting at least 12 months without joint replacement surgery.^[7]

Government agencies and companies around the world shut down websites after cybersecurity firms using artificial intelligence uncovered critical security flaws in PHP, a widely used programming language. PHP programmers released a patch fixing the vulnerability on Wednesday.^[8]

Scientists captured images of massive atmospheric waves rippling high above Hurricane Simon as the storm struck Mexico's Pacific coast. NASA satellites revealed how powerful hurricanes can disturb the upper atmosphere, creating patterns that are usually invisible from space.^[9]

Scientists at North Carolina State University demonstrated a new type of radio antenna that uses a laser to create a tunable beam of plasma capable of transmitting radio waves. The technology could revolutionize wireless communications by allowing antennas to change their size and direction on demand, with applications in satellites, radar, and space exploration.^[10]