White House tech strategy leaves open-weight AI off its critical list

The White House has published a new National Security Science and Technology strategy. It names 15 critical technology areas the United States intends to lead. Artificial intelligence and autonomy is [...]

SpaceX’s orbital data centers would create a new category of e-waste

The yeetcycling math resembles asteroid mining in reverse. [...]

The Galaxy’s Fastest Star Could Reveal the Secrets of a Supermassive Black Hole

S301 passes close to Sagittarius A*—so close that its orbit could reveal how the black hole’s rotation warps the spacetime around it. [...]

The Super El Niño Won’t Fix the West’s Water Crisis

“People have talked about the Colorado River crisis for decades—we’re now in it,” says one expert. “Everyone you talk to is like, ‘Shit, man.’” [...]

Thunder + fiber-optic cabling used for seismic imaging

Thunderstorms make seismic waves that can be used to find sub-surface features. [...]

NASA Cancels Its Rescue Mission for the Aging Swift Telescope

The LINK probe was supposed to use robotic arms to capture Swift and lift it into a safe orbit. Problems with its control system forced NASA to call off the attempt. [...]

Putting mice into hibernation causes a major loss of synapses

Hibernation cuts down on synapses, but mice seem to retain memories anyway. [...]

Dismantling the Roadless Rule threatens to disrupt wildlife and water in US

Lands free of roads are under threat from the Trump administration’s proposed rollback. [...]

Is Expensive Bottled Water Actually Better for You?

Luxury water can contain different minerals and taste noticeably different. But a remote source, alkaline pH, and high price do not necessarily mean better hydration. [...]