Gravitational waves yield most precise Hubble constant from neutron star collision

Gravitational waves from neutron star collision yield sharpest Hubble constant yet Re-examining the 2017 neutron star merger GW170817, researchers have produced the most precise measurement of the Hubble constant using gravitational waves, offering new clues to resolve the Hubble tension—a major cosmology debate about the universe’s expansion rate. 1

Astronomers detect first conclusive magnetic field on an exoplanet Using observations of the Neptune-like exoplanet GJ 436 b, scientists have provided the strongest evidence yet of a magnetic field outside the solar system, opening a new avenue for studying exoplanet habitability. 2

Base editing in human embryos reveals NANOG gene essential for development For the first time, scientists used highly precise base editing to show that the NANOG master regulator gene is crucial for human embryo formation, a breakthrough for stem cell research and regenerative medicine. 3

Chinese astronomers detect first radio pulses from long-silent neutron star Using the MeerKAT radio telescope, scientists detected 424-millisecond radio pulses from a central compact object in a supernova remnant, ending decades of searches and proving even weak-field neutron stars can emit radio waves. 4

Blocking telomere damage signaling restores blood and immune function in aging In a Nature Aging study, researchers showed that inhibiting telomeric DNA damage signaling rejuvenates hematopoietic stem cells in aged mice and improves human stem cell function, pointing to a potential anti-aging therapy. 5

Graphene can hold multiple superconducting states that strengthen in magnetic fields MIT physicists found that rhombohedral pentalayer graphene can host three distinct superconducting states that surprisingly persist and even get stronger under conditions normally lethal to superconductivity. 6