Here are today’s most important updates from the realm of Science and Space.
Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have pioneered a groundbreaking bacteria-based technique to repair bricks intended for lunar habitats, addressing potential damage caused by the moon's harsh environment. The IISc team has developed a method that utilises lunar soil, or "regolith," combined with a soil bacterium called Sporosarcina pasteurii. This bacterium converts urea and calcium into calcium carbonate crystals, effectively binding soil particles together to create durable brick-like materials. This eco-friendly process serves as a sustainable alternative to traditional cement. This innovative approach is part of a broader strategy to support future lunar expeditions, especially NASA's Artemis program, which aims to establish a permanent human presence on the moon.
The first footage of the poles from Fram2.
— A. Pettit (@PettitFrontier) April 1, 2025
We are the first humans to ever see this.
pic.twitter.com/aZFpcr10Y0
(Credit: X/@PettitFrontier)
Fram2 mission with four astronauts, SpaceX has shared first ever views of Earth's poles ever captured from space. The Fram2 mission will provide unprecedented views of the planet’s most remote areas, including the Arctic and Antarctic ice caps. The crew will capture unique footage of polar phenomena such as auroras and ice formations, contributing valuable data for climate research. This diverse crew aims to explore the polar regions while conducting 22 scientific experiments over the course of their three to five-day mission. These initiatives are designed to advance knowledge about human health in space and explore sustainable food sources for future long-duration missions.
A new study by Australian scientists has revealed that the impact of global warming on wealth. According to the research, if global temperatures rise by 4 degree Celsius, the average person's wealth could decrease by as much as 40%, which is almost four times higher than previous estimates. The study also forecasts a 16% reduction in global GDP per person if temperatures increase by just 2 degree Celsius, much higher than earlier predictions that suggested a 1.4% drop. These alarming findings highlight the dire consequences of climate change on economic stability and the wealth of individuals across the globe.
A new study has confirmed that humans can tolerate far less heat than previously estimated, with dire implications as global temperatures rise. Human thermoregulation limits are lower than previously thought, indicating that some regions may soon experience heat and humidity levels exceeding safe limits for survival. Participants were subjected to extreme conditions, 42°C with 57% humidity, representing a humidex of approximately 62°C. The participants' core temperature streamed upwards unabated, and many participants were unable to finish the 9-hour exposure. These data provide the first direct validation of thermal step protocols, which have been used to estimate upper limits for thermoregulation for nearly 50 years. The study underscores the urgent need to address climate change impacts on human health, providing vital data to inform public health strategies and climate models.
