Feature Stories
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 24-Oct-2025 19:11 ET (24-Oct-2025 23:11 GMT/UTC)
Gaia proves our skies are filled with chains of starry gatherings
European Space AgencyIn the past decade, the European Space Agency’s Gaia space telescope has revealed the nature, history, and behaviour of billions of stars. Our pioneering stargazer has reshaped our view of the skies around us like no other, revealing that star clusters are more connected than expected over vast distances.
Pure mathematics reduces ships' fuel consumption
Technical University of DenmarkCollaboration between DFDS and universities is creating digital solutions with potential for a more sustainable maritime freight transport.
- Funder
- Innovation Fund Denmark
The heartbeat of progress: Teamwork fuels first-of-a-kind reactor design test
DOE/Idaho National LaboratoryWhen asked to describe her job within the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment (MCRE), Kristy Spencer smiled.
Rains, mild temperatures set the stage for strong fall hunting outlook
Texas A&M AgriLife CommunicationsThanks to timely spring rains and relatively mild summer temperatures, hunters have reason to be optimistic as they take to the field this fall, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.
Although portions of the Trans Pecos, Edwards Plateau and South Texas Plains continue to experience some form of drought, more than 60% of the state is drought-free, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Not just big cities: Heat island effect plagues small communities too
University of VermontIn the dog days of summer, the blacktop is sizzling, fans are set to high, and cooling centers are open. Research has found cities are often warmer than more rural communities because of the "heat island effect." That's when the built environment exacerbates summer’s hottest days—in fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that, with fewer plants and lots of manmade structures and materials, cities can be several degrees hotter than their surrounding areas.
But these effects are not confined to the largest cities. As the climate continues to warm, people living in small and medium sized cities and even towns are increasingly recognizing the heat island effect in their communities. University of Vermont (UVM) researcher Elizabeth Doran says community planners and public works officials have an opportunity to come to the table and do a lot to reduce temperatures.
Together with colleagues from UVM and the Georgia Institute of Technology, Doran, a professor in the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, authored a 2025 report that digs into some of the solutions.
Forensics team from NJIT uses cellphone location data to help free wrongly accused
New Jersey Institute of TechnologyNeutron research helps find ways to boost oil recovery
DOE/Oak Ridge National LaboratoryThis scientist’s side hustle is creating crosswords for The New York Times
University of British ColumbiaIf you’re feeling unaccomplished, stop reading. It’s only going to get worse.
In his day-to-day life, Dr. Mark MacLachlan is a professor of chemistry researching something called ‘supramolecular materials’ (don’t ask) and dean of science at the University of British Columbia. His days are filled with unpronounceable chemicals and long meetings.
For the average reader, relaxing after work might involve scrolling through Instagram, reading a book, watching some junk television, say.
Dean MacLachlan creates crosswords. For The New York Times, LA Times, and The Wall Street Journal, no less. And no, he doesn’t watch Love Island.
ETRI leads creation of International Metaverse Standardization Advisory Group
National Research Council of Science & TechnologyElectronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) announced that the Metaverse Advisory Group was established at the ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 6 meeting in London, Great Britain this June following a proposal of Korea. The group is responsible for overseeing international standardization in the field of Metaverse communications and is chaired by principal researcher Hyun Wook.
- Funder
- Ministry of Science and ICT