Rare family has had many more sons than daughters for generations

• Scientists have updated the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) protocols to establish new rules for verifying and sharing evidence of alien intelligence. • The updated guidelines address the modern information age, accounting for the globalization of the search and the use of projects like Breakthrough Listen.

• NASA’s Roman Space Telescope is expected to revolutionize the search for alien worlds by identifying approximately 100,000 exoplanets. • This projected discovery count far exceeds the total number of planets found by all previous astronomical missions combined.

• A new study published on April 26, 2026, suggests that fish oil may not be universally beneficial and could potentially harm the brain in specific contexts. • Researchers discovered that omega-3 fatty acids may negatively impact individuals who have suffered from repeated mild head injuries.

• NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman defended the decision to utilize an all-male crew for the upcoming Artemis III mission on Wednesday. • The decision has sparked public backlash, with Isaacman noting that reactions to the lack of female astronauts have ranged from "disappointment to outrage."

• Researchers discovered that galloylquinic acids, natural compounds extracted from a Brazilian Atlantic Forest tree, can combat COVID-19 through multiple mechanisms. • In a separate study, scientists analyzed the skull of a 380-million-year-old Antarctic fish to understand the evolutionary transition of animals moving from water to land.

• Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have discovered evidence that the mysterious "little red dots" observed in the early universe may be black hole stars. • While many such objects have been spotted, researchers found a specific instance where all necessary pieces of evidence aligned to support this classification.

• NPR highlighted five winning images from the "Scientists at Work" photo contest, showcasing the visual beauty of scientific research and discovery. • One featured image captures vector biologist Lee Haines from the University of Notre Dame using a microscope to examine a mosquito.

• NOAA has officially transitioned the Space weather Observations at L1 to Advance Readiness – 1 (SOLAR-1) observatory into operational service. • As the first U.S. satellite dedicated exclusively to continuous space weather observations, SOLAR-1 provides critical data from the L1 Lagrange point.

• NASA has announced updates to the agenda and abstract submission process for the upcoming Ad ASTRA Community Science workshop. • The event will utilize breakout sessions combining formal presentations with flexible discussions to foster collaboration among teams.

• NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman addressed public criticism and "outrage" following the selection of an all-male crew for the Artemis III test mission. • The controversy stems from the lack of female representation in the crew lineup for the mission intended to return humans to the lunar surface.

• UC San Diego engineers are researching the ability to grow plants under simulated space conditions to produce essential pharmaceuticals during long-term missions. • The initiative addresses a critical safety gap, as medications degrade faster in space; studies show over half of the International Space Station's drug supply expires within three years.

• Five astronauts aboard the International Space Station were ordered to take shelter and prepare for evacuation for approximately two hours on Friday due to a worsening air leak. • The emergency was triggered by a crack located on the Russian segment of the orbital laboratory, which Russian crews attempted to repair.