SCIENCE

• New research warns that up to half of the world's dams could become "functionally inoperable" by 2060 due to excessive sediment accumulation. • Currently, approximately one-fifth of global reservoirs are classified as being at high risk of filling with sediment, with the American West identified as a major hotspot. • This trend creates a "ticking time bomb" that threatens global water security, infrastructure stability, and the livelihoods of millions of people.

• A total solar eclipse is scheduled to occur on August 12, 2026, with the path of totality crossing through Greenland and Spain. • Live reporting and expert updates are currently being provided as the countdown to the event reaches its final six days. • This astronomical event is significant for observers and scientists, as it offers a rare opportunity to view the sun's corona from specific geographic regions.

• New high-resolution images published in the journal *Nature* reveal that the Sun's visible surface is teeming with a vast number of whirling vortices. • These findings highlight the extreme turmoil and complex fluid dynamics occurring on the solar surface, providing a more detailed look at solar activity than previously captured. • The discovery matters because understanding these vortices helps scientists better comprehend the Sun's magnetic field and the mechanisms driving solar weather.

• An international research team led by the University of Birmingham discovered a previously unknown natural process that significantly increases cloud-forming particles in the Arctic atmosphere. • Published in Nature Geoscience, the study provides the first real-world evidence that the intersection of sea ice and the open ocean serves as a major source of these particles. • This discovery is critical because the Arctic has warmed three times faster than the global average over the last 40 years, making it highly sensitive to atmospheric changes.

• Scientists report that global warming is accelerating, suggesting the Earth may reach the critical 1.5°C temperature limit sooner than previously projected. • While temperature rises historically followed a stable upward trend influenced by sporadic events like El Niño or volcanic eruptions, recent data indicates a shift in the broader trajectory. • This acceleration is significant because exceeding the 1.5°C threshold increases the risk of irreversible climate tipping points and more extreme weather events.

• A segment of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is believed to have crashed into the moon after drifting in space since last year. • The incident follows concerns raised by experts, including UCL atmospheric chemist Eloise Marais, regarding the environmental impacts of space debris on the ozone hole and climate. • This event highlights the growing issue of orbital debris and the potential for uncontrolled reentry or collisions with celestial bodies.

• NASA utilized advanced mini-laboratories on the International Space Station to automate research, specifically through the 2021 ADSEP-UMAMI study on bobtail squid. • The research discovered that symbiotic interactions with beneficial microbes can reduce a host animal's stress responses to spaceflight and accelerate the growth of neurons and tissues. • These findings are critical because they highlight the importance of symbiotic relationships within closed ecosystems, such as spacecraft.

• A SpaceX rocket has crashed into the moon, confirming previous scientific predictions regarding its trajectory. • Although the impact was not observed in real-time, astronomers using a telescope in Chile detected a debris plume resulting from the high-speed collision. • The event serves as a practical demonstration of orbital physics and the inevitable return of objects launched into space.

• Astronomers from Ukraine’s Main Observatory claim to have discovered evidence of a technologically advanced nonhuman civilization on the lunar surface. • Using high-speed cameras and telescopes, the team recorded more than 20 giant objects exhibiting non-random, intelligent behavior. • The researchers suggest these objects could reach Earth within 20 minutes, potentially manifesting as Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs).

• A four-tonne piece of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is believed to have unintentionally collided with the lunar surface on Wednesday. • The debris reportedly struck the moon at a speed of approximately 5,400 mph. • This event is significant as it provides a rare opportunity for scientists to study the effects of artificial impacts on the moon's environment.

• The White House released a strategic vision titled "Science: A New Golden Age," which proposes a radical restructuring of U.S. scientific research and funding. • The plan shifts priority toward "grand challenges" and physical sciences, specifically highlighting nuclear power as a core energy theme. • According to the journal *Science*, the proposal may reduce funding for top universities and replace traditional peer review and investigator-led research with large-scale team awards.

• Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have discovered a giant planet previously hidden by a bright disk of cosmic dust within a well-studied planetary system. • In a separate breakthrough reported on July 23, 2026, researchers identified the first atmosphere surrounding a rocky world located within its star's habitable zone. • These findings are significant as they demonstrate the ability of advanced instrumentation to detect concealed celestial bodies and potential signs of habitability on rocky planets.

• In 2026, NASA successfully flew astronauts around the Moon for the first time in over fifty years, marking a major milestone in human space exploration. • Simultaneously, the White House proposed some of the deepest budget cuts in the agency's history, specifically targeting science and climate research programs. • The proposed cuts would disproportionately impact robotic probes and telescopes, which are the most cost-effective tools for NASA's scientific discoveries.

• NASA has updated the ROSES-25 A.1 Earth Science Research Overview to require that all proposals requesting high-end computing, networking, and storage resources explicitly include associated costs. • This requirement ensures that the critical infrastructure needed for processing complex Earth science data is properly budgeted and accounted for during the proposal phase. • The update highlights the essential role of high-performance computing in enabling advanced research and data analysis for NASA's scientific missions.

• NASA introduced the SpaceX Crew-13 team during a news conference at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, as they prepare for their upcoming mission to the International Space Station. • Current Expedition 75 crew members are focusing on health research and spacewalk preparations, including tests on the new European Enhanced Exploration Exercise Device (E4D) in the Columbus module. • Astronaut Hathaway conducted hardware removal in the Kibo laboratory to conclude technology studies focused on advanced computing and imaging in a vacuum.

• A new critique of the White House's strategic plan for U.S. science argues that the current approach is too narrow to achieve a "new golden age for science." • The analysis suggests that the government is over-prioritizing technology and engineering while neglecting critical funding for the humanities, public health, and social sciences. • This gap matters because a holistic scientific ecosystem requires interdisciplinary support and "open borders" to attract and retain global talent.

• On August 3, 2004, NASA launched the MESSENGER spacecraft, marking the first mission designed to orbit the innermost planet, Mercury. • The spacecraft was specifically tasked with exploring the planet's composition and hunting for evidence of water. • This mission was significant as it provided the first detailed orbital data on Mercury, helping scientists understand the planet's geological history and magnetic field.

• Ten significant breakthroughs in mathematics and theoretical computer science are currently transforming the fields of AI, algorithms, and cryptography. • These advances are specifically bolstering post-quantum cryptography, a critical area of preparation for governments and private companies facing future computing threats. • While AI tools are increasingly being used to assist in mathematical discovery, the industry maintains a strict reliance on peer review and independent verification for formal proofs.