SMRTR Science & Engineering

Science & Engineering stories

Get hand-picked daily summaries of the best, most informative science and engineering articles from around the web. Browse recent summaries, then jump to the original source when you want the full article.

Latest story• Jul 15, 2025

In a first, an image shows a dying star exploded twice to become a supernova

Astronomers found evidence supporting the double-detonation theory for some supernovas, observing two calcium shells racing from a 300-year-old supernova remnant in a nearby galaxy. This suggests a white dwarf first exploded its helium blanket before triggering a larger blast. The finding may explain why some type 1a supernovas occur below the expected mass threshold and could improve understanding of these cosmic...

Read summary Original source

Latest stories

Japanese WWII warship Teruzuki found after 80 years in first underwater sighting

Beneath the waves off Guadalcanal, a ghostly remnant of World War II has emerged from the depths. The Imperial Japanese destroyer Teruzuki, sunk in 1942, has been discovered by scientists using underwater robots and advanced...

Read summary Original

This AI-powered lab runs itself—and discovers new materials 10x faster

A new technique for self-driving laboratories allows them to collect 10 times more data at record speed, accelerating materials discovery while reducing costs and environmental impact. The dynamic flow system continuously varies...

Read summary Original

China advances energy security with first output from major uranium project

China has produced its first natural uranium from the 'National No 1 Uranium' project in Inner Mongolia, using advanced in situ leaching technology. This breakthrough unlocks previously inaccessible sandstone uranium deposits,...

Read summary Original

Powerful polymer could fuel safer EVs, smartphones, drones and space probes

Adding small amounts of charge to polymer blends significantly alters their mixing properties, potentially leading to safer, longer-lasting solid-state batteries and improved lithium metal batteries, according to research from...

Read summary Original

100 undiscovered galaxies may be orbiting the Milky Way, supercomputer simulations hint

Scientists predict over 100 undiscovered satellite galaxies may orbit the Milky Way. Using advanced simulations and models, researchers suggest these faint dwarf galaxies could support the standard cosmological model if detected....

Read summary Original

SMRTR Science & Engineering

Get the next batch of curated stories in your inbox.

This archive is built from SMRTR newsletter stories. Subscribe for hand-picked stories without the extra noise.

More recent stories

Physicists detected the most massive black hole merger to date

Physicists have detected the most massive black hole merger ever observed, resulting in a new black hole 225 times more massive than the Sun. The LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA collaboration made this groundbreaking discovery using...

Read summary Original

Can zebrafish help humans regrow hearing cells?

Scientists at the Stowers Institute have identified two genes that guide sensory cell regeneration in zebrafish. This discovery improves understanding of regeneration in zebrafish and may inform future studies on hearing loss and...

Read summary Original

NASA studies Earth’s deep-sea volcanoes to uncover alien life on Jupiter’s moon

NASA is investigating deep-sea volcanoes on Earth to gain insights into potential alien life on Jupiter's moon Europa. Microbiologist James Holden received a $621,000 grant to study hydrothermal vent microbes as analogues for...

Read summary Original

China’s satellites may have pulled off world’s first in-orbit fuel refill, beating US

China may have achieved the world's first in-orbit satellite refueling operation. Two Chinese satellites, Shijian-21 and Shijian-25, were observed performing close proximity maneuvers in geostationary orbit between June and July....

Read summary Original

Watch world’s fastest chimney-climbing robot dog scale 50 times faster than rivals

The University of Tokyo's KLEIYN robot, a 40-pound quadruped with 13 joints, uses machine learning and a flexible waist to climb walls and navigate uneven terrain 50 times faster than previous robots.

Read summary Original

Scientists grow real blood vessels inside tiny lab-made heart, lungs, liver

Researchers have made a breakthrough in growing blood vessels within lab-grown organs, addressing a key challenge in organoid development. Two separate teams successfully created mini-organs with integrated vascular networks,...

Read summary Original

It looked like nothing—then scientists found a world 10x the size of Jupiter

Astronomers discovered a large exoplanet in MP Mus's protoplanetary disc by combining ALMA and Gaia data, revealing disc gaps and star movement that indicate a gas giant 3-10 times Jupiter's size.

Read summary Original

RNA Is the Cell’s Emergency Alert System

A newly discovered cellular alarm system uses RNA, not DNA, to detect damage. When UV light or other hazards mutate DNA, damaged RNA molecules accumulate and cause ribosomes to collide. This triggers a rapid response pathway led...

Read summary Original

How fast did dinosaurs really go? Birds walking in mud provide new clues

Recent research shows that dinosaur speed estimates from fossil footprints may be inaccurate, as tests with modern bird tracks on soft ground overestimate speeds by up to 50%, suggesting dinosaurs moved slower than previously...

Read summary Original

New Horizons visited Pluto 10 years ago. We’re still learning from it

A spunky spacecraft that set out to explore Pluto in 2006 is still going strong, 9 billion kilometers from Earth. The New Horizons probe has revolutionized our understanding of the distant dwarf planet, revealing a world far more...

Read summary Original

'Paraparticles' would be a third kingdom of quantum particle

Physicists have discovered a potential third type of particle called paraparticles, challenging long-held beliefs about particle physics. These particles, neither matter nor force-carrying, could lead to new exotic materials. Two...

Read summary Original

Chinese scientists deliver world’s first cloned yak via cesarean section in Tibet

Chinese scientists have successfully cloned a yak, born via C-section in Tibet on July 11. The healthy 73.9-pound calf represents a significant advancement in high-altitude livestock breeding, aiming to enhance yak quality for...

Read summary Original

A clever glass trick fixes the decade-old photonic crystal laser problem

Engineers at University of Illinois have developed the first room-temperature, eye-safe photopumped PCSEL by embedding silicon dioxide into the photonic crystal layer. This breakthrough overcomes the challenge of air holes...

Read summary Original

When darkness burns: The strange lives of dark dwarfs in the galaxy’s heart

A new study suggests some brown dwarfs near the galactic center may absorb dark matter, transforming into faintly glowing "dark dwarfs." These objects could potentially become tools for studying dark matter. Scientists propose...

Read summary Original

If the Moon was Replaced by a Black Hole of Similar Mass, This is What Might Happen

A Moon-mass black hole replacing our Moon would keep Earth's orbit and tides similar, but create a dark night sky, maintain seasons and day length, and exert extreme tidal forces nearby despite its tiny size.

Read summary Original

Breakthrough microchip reveals how your body fights viruses—in just 90 minutes

The mEM microchip analyzes antibody-virus interactions using a single blood drop, offering faster and more sensitive results than previous methods, with potential applications in vaccine development and antibody discovery for...

Read summary Original

Scientists just found 200+ hidden proteins that may drive Alzheimer’s

Johns Hopkins researchers identified over 200 misfolded proteins in rats potentially linked to age-related cognitive decline, challenging the focus on A-beta and tau amyloids in Alzheimer's and dementia. Comparing cognitively...

Read summary Original

Scientists grow mini amniotic sacs in the lab using stem cells

Scientists have developed a lab-grown model of the human amniotic sac using stem cells. Called post-gastrulation amnioids (PGAs), this model replicates the sac's complex structure and survives for months, providing insights into...

Read summary Original

Back to all archives Load more stories