Howard Hughes Medical Institute

A spacecraft launched to rescue NASA's Swift Observatory, which is at risk of crashing due to solar storms; Katalyst Space Technologies, funded by NASA, aims to boost its orbit to extend its mission.

The CDC reports an early and severe West Nile virus season with 48 confirmed cases by June 30, 38 of which are severe, marking the worst start in over two decades. Arizona has been hardest hit, with 32 cases and four deaths, prompting officials to urge mosquito bite prevention measures like DEET use and eliminating standing water.

Scientists tickled 13 captive apes and compared their laughter to that of four children, finding similar rhythmic patterns suggesting a shared evolutionary origin. The study, led by Chiara De Gregorio, indicates human and great ape laughter has followed similar rhythms for 15 million years, with human laughter evolving to become faster and more context-dependent.

The SETI Institute conducted radio scans of the interstellar comet 3I/Atlas and found no evidence of alien technology. The comet, the third known interstellar object to enter the solar system, was observed by NASA spacecraft but showed no technosignatures. Over 74 million radio signals were detected, but nearly all traced back to Earth or Earth-orbiting satellites.

Scientists discovered a specialized group of worker bees that construct queen cells using wax with unique properties, challenging the long-held belief that royal jelly alone determines queen bee development. Queens raised in worker wax were smaller and less viable, suggesting environment plays a critical role alongside diet.

A rare blue micromoon will occur on May 28, 2026, marking the second full moon in May and the most distant full moon of the year. The micromoon will appear 6% smaller and 10% dimmer than average, with Antares aligning for observers in the Southern Hemisphere.