Science

6 space missions to look forward to in 2024

By Ali M. Bramson, The Conversation

From the Moon’s south pole to an ice-covered ocean world, several exciting space missions are slated for launch in 2024…

5 space milestones in 2023 that are ‘rewriting textbooks’

By Casey Kuhn, Miles O'Brien

This year saw incredibly detailed images from the most advanced telescope in space, as well as the 25th year of a global partnership sending astronauts to orbit Earth.

A look at the top science stories and breakthroughs of 2023

By Nicola Jones, Knowable Magazine

From good news to bad, from novel vaccines to insect invaders, this year left us with much to ponder. Knowable Magazine presents 12 newsworthy developments from 2023.

U.S. military launches space plane on secretive, multi-year mission

By Marcia Dunn, Associated Press

The Space Force's reusable, robotic craft is carrying classified experiments. There's no one on board. It's the seventh flight since its debut in 2010.

The New York Times sues OpenAI and Microsoft over the use of its stories to train chatbots

By Associated Press

The New York Times is suing OpenAI and Microsoft, trying to end the practice of using its stories to train chatbots.

Architects of the Endangered Species Act reflect on 50th anniversary of groundbreaking measure

By Travis Loller, Associated Press

The Act was so sweeping that, in retrospect, it was bound to become controversial, especially since it allowed species to be listed as endangered without consideration for the economic consequences.

Analysis: How decorative glitter contributes to microplastic pollution

By Kamran Mahroof, The Conversation

Five reasons experts advise avoiding glitter, even on holiday cards or baubles.

International astronaut to join future NASA moon landing mission

By Marcia Dunn, Associated Press

NASA has included international astronauts on trips to space for decades. A Canadian has been selected to fly around the moon a year or so from now with three U.S. astronauts.

Study shows AI image-generators are being trained on explicit photos of children

By Matt O'Brien, Haleluya Hadero, Associated Press

The Stanford Internet Observatory found more than 3,200 images of suspected child sexual abuse in a database used to train leading AI image-makers.

Biden administration moves to protect old-growth forests as climate change brings fires and pests

By Matthew Brown, Associated Press

The Biden administration is moving to conserve old-growth forests on national forests and limit logging as climate change amplifies the threats they face from wildfires, insects and disease.