Blue Origin wins $700 million contract to build NASA's next Mars orbiter

• Recent theoretical research is exploring whether dark matter particles are produced within jets of standard model particles, utilizing a new detector signature called "semi-visible jets." • A June 16, 2023, breakthrough suggests a new link between the nature of invisible dark matter and the "cosmic web," the large-scale structure of the universe.

• Experts are evaluating global preparedness for the potential discovery of extraterrestrial life as numerous space missions actively search for biological signatures. • The analysis emphasizes using historical lessons regarding international collaboration and competition in space to create a framework for managing such a discovery.

• Researchers have identified 36 risk genes through rare-variant sequencing, uncovering shared biological pathways associated with specific health conditions. • While the study provides critical insights into the genetic architecture of these diseases, the findings do not currently translate into a clinical diagnostic test.

• 196 countries adopted the Paris Agreement on December 12, 2015, during the COP21 summit in Paris to combat the global emergency of climate change. • The agreement emphasizes the need for international cooperation and coordinated solutions across all levels of government to address environmental degradation.

• NASA has launched the Nancy Grace Roman Telescope into space to conduct advanced astronomical research. • The mission focuses on probing the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy, discovering new exoplanets, and studying stars.

• NASA's Swift space telescope has resumed its science observations after a private rescue mission failed to boost its decaying orbit. • The nearly 22-year-old observatory is now focusing on maximizing its remaining operational time to study the cosmos.

• Researchers have developed a new heat-driven, elastocaloric cooling system that leverages waste heat and solar energy. • This breakthrough builds upon alternatives to traditional cooling methods proposed by notable figures such as Albert Einstein and Leo Szilard.

• NPR's senior climate editor is providing internal newsroom guidance to help staff accurately report on the role of climate change during extreme weather events. • In a separate scientific development, researchers are investigating the use of AI-designed viruses to specifically target and eliminate harmful bacteria.

• NASA is developing the Nancy Grace Roman Telescope as part of a broader strategy to expand cosmic exploration beyond the capabilities of the Hubble Space Telescope. • The mission aims to complement existing observatories by exploring the universe across a diverse spectrum, including infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma ray wavelengths.

• NASA has issued Amendment 71 for the A.16 Cryosphere solicitation, seeking high-impact research proposals focused on glaciers, ice sheets, and sea ice. • Proposed investigations must leverage existing data from NASA's airborne campaigns and satellite missions to address urgent challenges in cryospheric science.

• NASA has launched the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, named after the agency's first chief astronomer and first female executive. • The telescope is embarking on a multi-year mission to map the universe and investigate the mysteries of dark energy and dark matter.