A new Dartmouth study shows octopuses can use mirrors to find food out of sight, demonstrating spatial cognitive abilities. The results are published in Current Biology.

SAN ANTONIO — June 3, 2026 — Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is studying impact flashes generated by high-speed collisions. One application of understanding impact flashes is to remotely identify what materials are involved in the collisions. Advances in understanding the optical impact flashes can be highly beneficial for missile defense, making it possible to determine the composition of an intercepted missile and its payload. The work could also aid scientists in identifying the origins of meteorites or asteroids impacting surfaces, based on their composition.

Today, the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment (HETDEX) - which recently completed the largest survey ever taken of the early universe - has released all of its immense, information-rich database to the public. Built from more than half a petabyte of raw and processed data, it will allow astronomers to study how the first galaxies formed and evolved, measure how gas and stars were distributed within these galaxies, map the large-scale structure of the cosmos, and investigate rare and unexpected objects not easily found in traditional surveys.

Today, the SETI Institute announced the second round of grants it will fund with its Support Technology, Research, Innovation, Development, and Education (STRIDE) program. The SETI Institute established the STRIDE fund to support SETI Institute researchers and EOC (Education, Outreach, and Communications) professionals in developing innovative research and education proposals. After funding the first round with $500K, this year’s program will award $1M to fund 10 projects. Advance understanding of the impact of stellar winds and magnetic fields on atmospheric loss in exoplanets and their implications for planetary habitability.

"This year’s STRIDE selections showcase ambitious, cutting-edge work across astrobiology, intelligence, planetary science, AI, and public engagement,” said Nathalie Cabrol, Director of the Carl Sagan Center at the SETI Institute. “These projects push the boundaries of how we explore life, intelligence, habitability, and our place in the universe while fostering innovation that can shape future scientific breakthroughs."

A new propulsion system combines the power and speed of conventional chemical thrusters with the precision and fuel-efficiency of electrical thrusters. The system could enable small satellites capable of both fast, powerful maneuvers and slower, precise adjustments.

A dead star slowly stripping material from a neighboring star has helped scientists solve one of astronomy's biggest recent mysteries: the source of strange radio signals flashing across the galaxy.

SAN ANTONIO — June 2, 2026 — Southwest Research Institute evaluated NASA’s medication handling practices, which currently call for removing medications from their original packaging and storing them in resealable plastic bags. Although this allows astronauts to economize stowage for spaceflight, SwRI’s investigation found that active pharmaceutical ingredients degrade at a higher rate when stored in bags.