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Science At-a-Glance

SpaceX aims to catch Starship booster and upper stage Friday, NASA recruits astronauts for moon

A Columbia University climate researcher described funding losses, housing displacement and lost jobs in the field. Scientists say their lifeless-Earth simulation could help tell barren rocky planets from inhabited ones.

Updated . AI-generated from the topic's top stories.

Top Stories

NASA opens applications for next class of astronauts

Updated

The U.S. space agency is recruiting for its Artemis program, which aims to return people to the moon, with applications open until December 3.

What happened

NASA has opened applications for its next astronaut class, seeking recruits who could live and work on the moon, help establish a lunar base and pave the way for missions to Mars. Applications are due on December 3. The agency says it needs more people because it has only 32 active astronauts while its Artemis program planned lunar work exceeds what the current corps can handle.

Why it matters

The agency says successful candidates would help shape humanity's future in space. Reports also say the recruitment follows new changes that may open eligibility to more candidates, including osteopaths and nurses.

Timeline

  1. Nov 8, 11:50 AM ET: NASA announced that applications are open for its next generation of astronauts, with a December 3 deadline.
  2. Nov 9, 3:53 PM ET: NASA said its expanding Artemis program has more lunar work planned than its 32 active astronauts can handle.
  3. Nov 10, 7:00 AM ET: NASA is recruiting applicants for a salary of $164,395 a year, and candidates must meet strict standards to qualify.

Coverage

Researchers say Trump-era cuts push scientists out of U.S

Updated

Coverage of a broader trend in American science, where funding cuts and political pressure are affecting research careers across the country.

What happened

Researchers, including Halley Froehlich, who had expected to build her career in the United States, are reconsidering staying in the country because of funding cuts and politicization of science under the Trump administration. A Columbia University climate researcher described cuts, evictions and job losses in the field.

Why it matters

The reports describe young scientists leaving U.S. research and a shaken foundation of American science.

Timeline

  1. Nov 7, 7:30 PM ET: Halley Froehlich, a researcher whose family has lived in America since the 1700s, said she had been sure she would spend her career in the United States.
  2. Nov 9, 8:02 PM ET: The New York Times reported that new Ph.D. enrollments are down and many budding researchers are reconsidering their careers.
  3. Nov 10, 6:05 AM ET: A Columbia University researcher studying climate science described cuts, evictions and job losses in the field.

Coverage

SpaceX plans Starship Flight 15 with double catch attempt

Updated

SpaceX's Starship rocket test flight, planned from Texas, would try catching both its booster and upper stage.

What happened

SpaceX plans to launch its Starship Flight 15 test mission on Friday, Nov. 13, from Texas. The mission aims to catch both the booster and the upper stage. If successful, it could be the first time SpaceX recovers both parts.

Why it matters

A successful double catch would be a historic first for SpaceX, according to the reports. The reports describe it as a breakthrough moment.

Timeline

  1. Nov 9, 9:30 AM ET: SpaceX announced it will launch the Starship Flight 15 double-catch test mission on Nov. 13.
  2. Nov 10, 12:01 PM ET: Starship Flight 15 was reported to be aiming to catch both the booster and upper stage, with liftoff planned for Friday in Texas.

Coverage

Researchers model a lifeless Earth to aid alien planet searches

Updated

Scientists built a computer simulation showing how a lifeless Earth's atmosphere might develop. The team plans to use it to distinguish lifeless rocky planets from inhabited ones when hunting for life around distant stars.

What happened

Scientists built a computer simulation of a lifeless Earth, modeling how a planet without life would develop its atmosphere. The team plans to use the model to tell rocky planets without life apart from inhabited ones. The work is aimed at searching for signs of life on planets orbiting distant stars.

Why it matters

It gives them a reference for what a lifeless planet looks like.

Timeline

  1. Nov 8, 6:00 AM ET: Scientists announced a simulation of a planet without life to help hunt for inhabited worlds.
  2. Nov 10, 4:18 AM ET: The team said the lifeless Earth model could be used to search for signs of life on planets orbiting distant stars.

Coverage

California voters approve $8.4 billion immunology research bond

Updated

Proposition 38 is a statewide California ballot measure, and voters approved it on Monday, with 54.2% in favor as of that evening.

What happened

California's Proposition 38 passed on Monday, authorizing the state to borrow an $8.4 billion bond. The money is for immunology and immunotherapy research, including work on cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's disease. The Associated Press called the race Monday night.

Why it matters

The bond will fund research for cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's disease. It gives the state billions of dollars for immunology research.

Coverage

Scientists find unseen right whale calf off Canada

Updated

A newborn North Atlantic right whale, a critically endangered species, was spotted off Canada's coast after months of going unnoticed.

What happened

Scientists who study rare whales discovered a North Atlantic right whale calf off Canada that they had not seen for months.

Why it matters

The reports describe the calf as a cause for joy for the scientists studying the critically endangered species.

Timeline

  1. Nov 6, 11:33 AM ET: A baby North Atlantic right whale calf was reported to have flown under the water during calving season, surprising scientists.
  2. Nov 7, 6:04 AM ET: Scientists discovered the unknown baby right whale off Canada and said they could not be happier.
  3. Nov 8, 12:07 PM ET: The sighting of the calf off Canada's coast was reported as the season's 24th birth.

Coverage

Study finds one degree of warmth can shift alligator sex

Updated

Researchers working with South Carolina alligator eggs report that incubation temperature determines the sex of hatchlings, a finding with implications for warming climates.

What happened

Researchers incubated 146 alligator eggs from South Carolina and found that a small change in temperature altered the sex outcome. The findings show that an alligator's sex depends on the temperature at which it incubates.

Why it matters

The reports link the finding to climate change, since alligator sex depends on incubation temperature and warming could affect it.

Coverage

Researchers find gravity may break and reconnect in Einstein's equations

Updated

Under this process, gravity can break, rejoin and release energy.

What happened

Researchers at Columbia University and Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez have identified a theoretical process called gravitational reconnection within Einstein's equations. The process suggests gravity might split apart, rejoin, and free up energy. The finding is described as a surprising new phenomenon hidden in equations more than a century old.

Why it matters

The reports describe the finding as a surprising new phenomenon, showing that the equations still hold unexpected behavior.

Coverage

NASA seeks volunteers for year-long mock Mars habitat stay

Updated

NASA's CHAPEA program, which runs long-duration simulated space missions, studies how isolation affects human health.

What happened

NASA is seeking volunteers to spend a year inside a mock Mars habitat in Houston, and reports explain who can apply. The program is called CHAPEA, short for Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog.

Why it matters

The simulations allow scientists to study how isolation, confinement and operational challenges affect human health and performance.

Coverage

CRISPR Therapeutics reports trial results for CAR-T treatment

Updated

CRISPR Therapeutics presented early Phase 1 data on an off-the-shelf cell therapy for autoimmune conditions, including inflammatory muscle disease and scleroderma, at a rheumatology meeting.

What happened

CRISPR Therapeutics reported Phase 1 trial data for its off-the-shelf CAR-T therapy zugocabtagene geleucel. In refractory scleroderma, 83% of patients showed a clinical response with no graft-versus-host disease.

Why it matters

Dose escalation of the trial is continuing.

Timeline

  1. Nov 8, 10:30 AM ET: CRISPR Therapeutics reported that all nine patients with inflammatory muscle disease met response measures, with no CRS above Grade 2 or ICANS among 21 patients.
  2. Nov 8, 10:30 AM ET: Six patients given 200 million CAR+ cells showed higher expansion than those given 100 million, and dose escalation continues.
  3. Nov 9, 9:21 PM ET: An 83% clinical response rate with zero graft-versus-host disease was reported in refractory scleroderma, per Phase 1 data presented at ACR Convergence 2026.

Coverage

Latest Articles

  1. By carefully arranging molecules, scientists can control how a material responds to light, heat and physical force phys.org
  2. Trump-Era Funding Cuts Driving Young Scientists From U.S. Research nytimes.com
  3. House Democrats plot to make Trump’s science cuts ‘more difficult’ Madison Alder
  4. Prop 38 passes, authorizing $8.4B bond for immunology and immunotherapy research @dailybruin
  5. NASA unveils $10 billion in moon base contracts, new lunar missions and the 'PROMISE' of a nuclear-powered rover Josh Dinner
  6. Iran war led to rare carbon dioxide emissions drop this year, scientists say Nick Viviani
  7. New York launches new research center to study AI science and safety Kiley Wren
  8. A Single Degree Can Flip an Alligator’s Sex, New Study Finds Lianna Tedesco
  9. Rising energy costs from AI data centers land hardest on lower income, rural households, study finds Emily Mae Czachor
  10. NASA Is Accepting Astronaut Applications for the First Time in 2 Years See full bio

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