NASA is nearing a decision on whether to bring astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams back to Earth in Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which experienced thruster issues and helium leaks. Initially planned for an eight-day mission, the astronauts have been on the ISS for over two months. The decision will be announced Saturday after an internal review. If Starliner is deemed unsafe, the astronauts may return via SpaceX, but this would extend their stay on the ISS by several months.
Read more at: https://www.npr.org/2024/08/24/nx-s1-5087892/nasa-starliner-astronaut-return-iss-decision-spacex-imminent
Cockroaches carry numerous diseases, making them a common target for bug sprays. However, new research indicates that consumer-grade pesticides, particularly those with pyrethroids, are often ineffective and potentially harmful to humans. A study in the Journal of Economic Entomology found that products like Raid, Hot Shot, Ortho Home Defense, and Spectracide Bug Stop were only sporadically effective against German cockroaches. The study noted that while direct application killed insects, effectiveness dropped significantly with limited exposure.
Read more at: https://www.salon.com/2024/08/24/cockroach-infestation-a-new-study-demonstrates-which-products-are-most-effective–and-eco-friendly/
Health officials are launching a fall campaign urging everyone six months and older to get updated COVID and flu vaccines, but are reducing the emphasis on RSV vaccines. As fall approaches, bringing respiratory viruses like COVID, flu, and RSV, federal health officials are encouraging people to take protective measures.
Read more at: https://www.npr.org/2024/08/23/nx-s1-5072038/an-update-on-fall-respiratory-viruses
Elon Musk announced significant progress in SpaceX’s rocket reusability, a goal set 13 years ago. Responding to a fan video, Musk revealed that the Falcon 9 rocket is now about 75% reusable, requiring several days between flights. The Starship, designed to be 100% reusable, could potentially refly within an hour of landing. Musk emphasized that this advancement is crucial for becoming a multiplanet civilization.
Read more at: https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40540099/elon-musk-promised-to-make-fully-reusable-rockets-13-years-ago-today-spacexs-starship-is-designed-to
Jennifer Lopez, who took Ben Affleck’s name upon their 2022 marriage for reasons of “tradition and romance,” is seeking to revert to her maiden name following their split. In her August 20 divorce filing, citing “irreconcilable differences,” she requested to be legally known again as Jennifer Lynn Lopez. Family law attorney Christopher C. Melcher noted that it is common for divorcing spouses to restore their maiden names.
Read more at: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/no-more-mrs-affleck-jennifer-lopez-moves-to-drop-bens-name-in-divorce-filing-200535265.html
In his live post-DNC Late Show monologue, Stephen Colbert addressed false rumors about Beyoncé performing and Vice President Kamala Harris’ speech. Broadcasting from Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre, Colbert joked about North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s comment, asking if Beyoncé was coming, despite TMZ’s incorrect report. The convention concluded with Harris’ speech, and Beyoncé did not appear.
Read more at: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/stephen-colbert-false-beyonce-dnc-rumors-kamala-harris-speech-1235983239/
Researchers at UC Berkeley discovered a unique choanoflagellate in Mono Lake, known for its extreme conditions. This microscopic, single-celled organism can form multicellular colonies, similar to animal embryos, and is a sister group to all animals. Remarkably, it harbors its own microbiome, making it the simplest known organism to establish a stable relationship with bacteria. This finding could provide insights into the origins of multicellular life over 650 million years ago.
Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2024-08-creature-size-grain-california-mono.html
Debris from Mars has frequently reached Earth after powerful impacts on the Red Planet. At least 10 such events have occurred recently, launching meteorites into space that eventually fall to Earth. Scientists at the University of Alberta traced 200 meteorites to five impact craters in Mars’ Tharsis and Elysium regions. Meteorites fall to Earth daily, mostly as tiny particles. In the 1980s, scientists identified a group of meteorites with volcanic origins, suggesting they came from Mars due to its recent volcanic activity.
Read more at: https://www.space.com/mars-meteorites-5-craters-tharsis-elysium
Tardigrades, microscopic eight-legged organisms, have existed for over 541 million years, predating the Cambrian period. They thrive in diverse environments, from tundras to deserts and oceans. Despite their resilience and widespread presence, tardigrades rarely appear in the fossil record due to their small, delicate bodies. However, four ancient specimens have been preserved in amber, dating back nearly 150 million years, offering valuable insights into their evolution and survival skills.
Read more at: https://www.sciencealert.com/tardigrades-trapped-in-amber-reveal-secrets-from-millions-of-years-ago
A manhunt is underway after a knife-wielding attacker killed three and seriously injured four at a festival in Solingen, Germany, police told CNN. The attack occurred around 9:40 p.m. at the Fronhof square during the “Festival of Diversity,” celebrating the city’s 650th anniversary. The suspect is still at large, and special police forces are involved in the search. North Rhine-Westphalia’s interior minister, Herbert Reul, expressed his shock, calling the incident terrible. The motive remains unclear.
Read more at: https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/23/europe/germany-solingen-stabbing-attack-intl-latam/index.html