Legged Robot Breakthrough Enables Autonomous Resource Prospecting on Moon and Mars

• NASA announced revisions to its lunar exploration plans, delaying the first crewed Artemis IV landing to early 2028 while pausing the Gateway lunar station to prioritize a surface base. • The International Space Station's retirement is postponed to the mid-2030s, with plans to add detachable modules for a future standalone station, facing pushback from private space firms. • NASA will launch Space Reactor-1 Freedom, a nuclear engine demonstration to Mars, scheduled for December 2028 to test advanced propulsion.

• A new study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln highlights how farmers' risk attitudes significantly influence crop insurance decisions and financial results. • Led by Associate Professor Cory Walters, the research analyzes behavioral factors in agricultural economics, published March 31, 2026. • Findings underscore the need for tailored insurance products to match diverse risk profiles, potentially improving farm resilience amid climate variability.

• Oregon Health & Science University researchers revealed a previously unknown system of directed fluid flows within cells that rapidly transport essential proteins to the cell's leading edge, published today in Nature Communications. • The breakthrough emerged from an accidental observation during a neurobiology course when scientists used lasers to track protein movement and discovered an unexpected wave of soluble actin being pushed forward rather than drifting randomly through the cell. • The discovery fundamentally reshapes understanding of cell migration, cancer metastasis, and wound healing by revealing that cells use active internal mechanisms rather than passive diffusion to position critical proteins.

• NASA announced nuclear rocket development as part of this week's major science news, signaling advancement in propulsion technology for future space missions. • The announcement was featured in Live Science's weekly roundup of the latest scientific developments, alongside research on space reproduction challenges and insights into cannabis effects on appetite. • Nuclear propulsion systems represent a significant technological leap that could enable faster deep-space exploration and reduce mission duration for long-distance space travel.

• NASA is launching multiple technology and science demonstrations to low Earth orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Monday, March 30, 2026, as part of the Transporter-16 commercial rideshare mission. • The payload includes the AEPEX CubeSat for studying high-energy particle effects on the upper atmosphere, magnetic field measurement CubeSats, the R5-S10 CubeSat for proximity operations and formation flying, a power processing system from CisLunar Industries, and a heat shield experiment from Varda Space Industries. • The experiments aim to test thermal protection systems, advance in-space communications, and deepen understanding of Earth's atmosphere to support NASA's exploration and research goals.

• A year after federal mandates threatened to disrupt scientific research, university laboratories are experiencing cautious recovery in funding from NIH, NSF, and NASA. • Researchers at Northern Kentucky University and other institutions faced significant uncertainty when federal cuts impacted grants, laboratory operations, and student research opportunities. • The gradual thaw in federal science funding represents a critical turning point for academic research infrastructure, though underlying uncertainty about future appropriations remains.

• Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren opened a congressional hearing emphasizing deep-sea exploration's role in US national security, resource management, economic health, and cultural identity. • Advances in deep ocean knowledge support critical national interests amid growing global competition. • Hearing addresses regulatory and scientific challenges in ocean research funding and policy.

• Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals and Connecticut Science Center announced an Innovation Lab on March 26, 2026, to boost STEM education for students and families statewide. • Ribbon-cutting set for March 27, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. ET during STEM Career Showcase for over 500 middle and high school students. • Keynote by Connecticut Chief Workforce Officer Kelli-Marie Vallieres, Ph.D., with remarks from Carine Boustany, Ph.D., Boehringer's SVP of US research.

• Columbia University announced on March 26, 2026, that three faculty members were selected as AAAS Fellows for distinguished scientific contributions and service. • Recognition by the American Association for the Advancement of Science honors excellence across research disciplines. • Fellows represent Columbia's leadership in advancing peer-reviewed scientific discoveries.

• Asteroid 2026 FA3, approximately 53 feet wide or house-sized, will safely pass Earth on March 27, 2026, at 1.78 million miles away—seven times lunar distance. • NASA’s planetary defense systems monitor the near-Earth object (NEO) using telescopes and radar for precise orbit, trajectory, and speed calculations. • Followed by two more safe flybys the next day; increased detections due to advanced global tracking highlight vigilant space situational awareness.

• Stanford University researchers led by Claire Bedbrook and Ravi Nath published findings in Science on March 12, 2026, showing that midlife behaviors like movement and sleep in killifish predict lifespan. • The study, from Anne Brunet and Karl Deisseroth's labs, revealed animals maintain stable behaviors for long periods before rapid transitions into new stages. • This behavioral perspective on aging stages emerged from continuous monitoring, offering insights into predicting longevity without genetic analysis.