Scientists just found the Milky Way’s edge and it’s closer than expected

Defining where the Milky Way ends has always been challenging because its disk does not stop abruptly — it gradually fades into space. Now, for the first time, an international team of astronomers has pinpointed the boundary of the Galaxy’s star-forming disk by examining the ages of stars. Their findings…

A forgotten drug is giving new hope to kids with a rare disease

A medication that has been around for decades and used to treat several conditions, including a chronic parasitic infection, is now emerging as a potential option for patients with a different and far rarer disease. Early findings suggest the drug could help people with Bachmann-Bupp syndrome (BABS), a life-threatening genetic…

MIT study finds children more vulnerable to cancer-causing chemical in water

A new study from MIT indicates that a cancer-causing chemical found in some medications and in drinking water contaminated by industrial activity may pose a much greater risk to children than to adults. In experiments with mice, researchers discovered that young animals exposed to water containing this compound, called NDMA,…

NASA Curiosity rover finds mysterious life linked molecules on Mars

NASA’s Curiosity rover has identified a wide range of organic molecules on Mars, including compounds that scientists consider key ingredients for the origin of life on Earth. The discovery comes from a chemical experiment carried out on another planet for the first time. Results show that the Martian surface is…