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A new concept called Zhuque Base uses cave-inspired architecture and advanced computer simulations to design stronger, better-insulated shelters on Mars, potentially reducing dependence on materials transported from Earth. What if the first human home on Mars looked less like a futuristic building and more like a cave? As scientists prepare for future human missions to the Red Planet, one of the biggest challenges is figuring out how astronauts will live safely in an environment that is cold, hostile, and far from Earth. Building a home on Mars is not simply a matter of transporting construction materials and putting up walls. Every structure must withstand extreme temperature changes, provide protection from radiation, and make the best possible use of limited resources. To address these challenges, researchers led by Zhou have proposed an innovative habitat concept called Zhuque Base , inspired by traditional cave dwellings on Earth. Using advanced computer simulations, the team inve...

For more than a century, aeroplanes have relied on propellers and turbines to generate the thrust needed to fly. But what if an aircraft could move through the air without any rotating engines, almost silently, and without producing emissions from fuel combustion? Scientists are now bringing this idea closer to reality with a remarkable breakthrough in electric propulsion. A research team led by Haofeng Xu has demonstrated that an aeroplane can achieve sustained, powered flight using electroaerodynamics , a technology that generates thrust through electrical forces rather than conventional moving engine parts. The team designed and flew a fixed-wing aircraft with a wingspan of five metres, successfully demonstrating steady, level flight on ten separate occasions. The achievement provides important evidence that aircraft can fly using a solid-state propulsion system, potentially opening the door to quieter, mechanically simpler aircraft in the future. What Is Electroaerodynamic Propulsi...

New research suggests that tiny primordial black holes could gather invisible axion particles into enormous clouds, potentially producing detectable radio signals and unusual gravitational lensing effects. The universe is full of mysteries, and dark matter remains one of the biggest. Scientists have strong evidence that dark matter exists, yet they still do not know exactly what it is made of. Now, a new theoretical study by researchers Branco and Rosa explores a fascinating possibility: black holes may help invisible particles gather into cloud-like structures that resemble atoms. These structures, called gravitational atoms , could form around primordial black holes, which are hypothetical black holes believed to have formed in the early universe. The clouds would be made of axions or axion-like particles, possible candidates for dark matter. Even more interesting, these invisible clouds might not remain completely hidden. Under certain conditions, they could produce detectable radio...

Scientists have discovered a remarkable way to control quantum motion using tiny steps just one atom high. These atomic-scale structures can act like microscopic highways, guiding quantum vortices through an ultrathin superconductor more than 1,000 times more easily in one direction than another. The discovery, made by researchers in Japan, reveals how even the smallest changes to a material's surface can dramatically influence its electrical behavior. By controlling these tiny pathways, scientists may eventually develop advanced superconducting electronics that operate more efficiently and consume less energy. The research was conducted by a team at the Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA), part of Japan's National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS). The researchers demonstrated that the movement of quantum vortices could be controlled by changing the temperature or magnetic field applied to the material. The findings, published in Physical Review B in ...

Scientists have discovered a promising new approach to treating severe fatty liver disease by targeting an unexpected source of damage: the gut. An experimental drug called DT-109 reversed metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in animal studies by reducing harmful gut bacteria, repairing the intestinal barrier, and preventing inflammatory substances from reaching the liver. The findings, published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation , could open the door to new treatments for a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. The research also highlights how improving gut health may help protect other organs, including the heart and blood vessels. Although the results are encouraging, DT-109 remains an experimental drug. Its safety and effectiveness in humans must be established through further clinical research. What Is Fatty Liver Disease, and Why Is It Dangerous? Fatty liver disease develops when too much fat accumulates inside the liver. In some people, t...

A fascinating study reveals that selectively bred mice show playful behaviour toward humans, while golden hamsters prefer interacting with their own kind, offering new insights into the science of animal emotions, communication, and social bonding. Have you ever wondered whether a tiny mouse can enjoy playing with a human, or whether a hamster prefers playing with another hamster instead? Although playful behaviour is commonly observed in pets such as dogs and cats, scientists still know relatively little about how smaller rodents interact socially with humans. Social play is much more than simple entertainment. It helps animals develop physical abilities, learn communication skills, strengthen social relationships, and understand the behaviour of others. Previous research has explored these activities extensively in rats, but similar studies involving mice and hamsters have been limited. To investigate this unexplored area, Sarah Dagher and her research team studied two small mammals:...

Imagine running across a pool filled with a thick, white liquid without sinking. This unusual experiment has fascinated millions of people online, where videos show people sprinting across a mixture of cornstarch and water. However, the moment they slow down or stop, they begin to sink. Now, scientists have discovered a fascinating way to control this strange material. By applying rapid, sideways movements to the mixture, researchers have found that they can weaken its solid-like behavior and make objects sink faster. The discovery could help scientists better understand how materials change between solid-like and liquid-like states. It may also lead to new ways of preventing blockages in industrial pipes, improving concrete processing, and controlling the flow of thick mixtures. The Strange Science Behind Running on Cornstarch The secret behind this unusual experiment lies in a property called shear thickening . To demonstrate it, people mix cornstarch with water to create a thick sus...