Vera Rubin Observatory begins 10-year sky survey; mRNA vaccines confirmed safe

Vera Rubin Observatory launches 10-year Legacy Survey of Space and Time The NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile has begun its decade-long census of the southern sky, using a 3,200-megapixel camera that captures an image every 40 seconds. The survey will generate millions of alerts nightly and an unprecedented stream of astronomical data, scanning the entire visible sky every few nights. 1

Global review confirms mRNA vaccines safe and effective after billions of doses A comprehensive review published in The Lancet, led by researchers at the University of British Columbia, analyzed data from billions of mRNA vaccine doses and found them safe and highly effective against infectious diseases including COVID-19. Serious adverse effects like myocarditis remain exceedingly rare, with rates of 12.6 to 35.6 cases per million doses, and the technology shows promise for influenza, RSV, cancer, and autoimmune conditions. 234

Dual-target CAR-T therapy shows promise against aggressive brain tumors Researchers at McMaster University developed a CAR-T therapy that simultaneously targets glioblastoma tumors and the macrophages that help them grow, by recognizing the GPNMB protein found on both. The approach, published in Nature, treats the tumor as a connected tumor-immune ecosystem rather than just a mass of cancer cells. 5

Gamma-ray burst detected within minutes by submillimeter observatory Scientists using the Submillimeter Array on Maunakea, Hawaii, detected a gamma-ray burst within minutes of its occurrence on January 26, 2026, marking a record in speed of detection at millimeter wavelengths. This breakthrough provides astronomers a new way to catch these brightest cosmic explosions in action. 6

Riemann Hypothesis linked to quantum phase transitions in experiment Researchers established a direct correspondence between the zeros of the Riemann zeta function and dynamical quantum phase transitions in engineered quantum systems, demonstrated in a proof-of-principle experiment on a quantum processor. The work, published in Nature Communications, bridges number theory and quantum dynamics, suggesting quantum advantage in exploring mathematical conjectures. 7

Water waves reveal elusive Aharonov–Bohm quantum effect Physicists at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology used a water tank to recreate the Aharonov–Bohm effect, making the invisible quantum phenomenon visible in a tabletop experiment. The study, published in Communications Physics, revealed unexpected rotating nodal lines when waves from opposite directions met at a vortex. 8

New super alloy twice as strong as steel created at atomic scale Engineers at Monash University created a refractory high-entropy alloy with compressive yield strength exceeding two gigapascals—double that of conventional steel—while maintaining flexibility. Published in Science, the material uses a slower heating process to arrange atoms into highly ordered nanostructures, potentially enabling lighter aircraft and more durable infrastructure. 9

3D-printed zinc battery stores 7x more charge with fast recharging A UCLA-led team developed a zinc-ion hybrid battery with a 3D-printed electrode that stores over seven times the charge of similar devices while retaining 82% capacity after 1,500 cycles. Published in Small, the device offers a cheaper, more sustainable alternative to lithium for grid-scale energy storage. 10

Regnase-1 protein critical for regulatory T cell survival and function Researchers found that genetically modifying the RNA-binding protein Regnase-1 in regulatory T cells caused fatal autoimmune disease in mice within 4 weeks, due to T cell depletion. The study in Cell Death & Disease identified that Regnase-1 degrades Bcl2l1 mRNA to control Bcl-xL expression, revealing a key mechanism for immune homeostasis. 11

Gene therapy cures sickle cell; next challenge is making it accessible While FDA-approved gene therapies have cured sickle cell disease patients like Ian Wilhite, the treatment regimen requires months of hospitalization, chemotherapy, and a dedicated caregiver, limiting access. Researchers are now working to make these personalized treatments faster, cheaper, and available to far more patients worldwide. 12