Sam's News — science — 2026-09-05¶

Biotechnology¶

7.5 Scientists Demonstrate Eight-Letter DNA Alphabet Readable by Cellular Enzymes¶

Researchers at UC San Diego have shown that RNA polymerase can accurately process an eight-letter genetic alphabet, doubling the four letters used by all known life.

Sources: ScienceDaily RSS Update to: Natural enzyme accurately transcribes eight-letter DNA alphabet

Space¶

7.5 BepiColombo Spacecraft Begins Critical Mercury Arrival Phase¶

After an eight-year journey, the European-Japanese BepiColombo spacecraft has begun its monthslong approach to Mercury.

Sources: Phys.org RSS

Science¶

7 UC Riverside scientists develop method to predict major earthquake locations¶

UC Riverside researchers have created a predictive method to identify geographic zones where Earth's largest earthquakes are most likely to occur.

Sources: Phys.org RSS

6.5 MIT researchers detect and test under-ice Arctic acoustic communication¶

Researchers from MIT Lincoln Laboratory analyzed underwater sounds beneath Arctic sea ice and tested methods for communicating through ice using commercial sensors.

Sources: Phys.org RSS

Climate & Environment¶

7 Tree species diversity protects forests from climate extremes¶

A study of 88,116 forest plots across the United States found that tree species diversity provides significant protection against compound climate extremes.

Sources: Phys.org RSS

Materials Science¶

6.5 Lund University develops high-efficiency nanowire-based LED technology¶

Researchers at Lund University have created a new branched nanowire LED that achieves significantly higher efficiency and lower production costs.

Sources: Phys.org RSS

Environment¶

6.5 Lakes significantly influence carbon cycling and atmospheric release¶

Research shows that lakes rich in stream networks can substantially increase carbon release into the atmosphere rather than storage.

Sources: Phys.org RSS

Physics¶

6.5 Rice University Uses Levitated Magnet to Search for Ultraheavy Dark Matter¶

Researchers at Rice University have deployed a magnetically levitated particle to extend the search for ultraheavy dark matter forms.

Sources: Phys.org RSS

Astronomy¶

6.5 FAST telescope discovers mysterious hydrogen clouds near Whirlpool galaxy¶

China's FAST radio telescope has detected two massive hydrogen clouds containing no detectable stars near the Whirlpool galaxy.

Sources: Phys.org RSS

Medicine¶

6.5 US trial tests psilocybin as chemotherapy side-effect treatment¶

A U.S. clinical study is investigating whether psilocybin from magic mushrooms can alleviate chemotherapy side effects.

Sources: Phys.org RSS