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A new type of eyeglass lens, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in September, offers children a way to slow the progression of nearsightedness, potentially preventing serious vision problems later in life. Myopia, or nearsightedness, affects up to 40% of U.S. children by the end of high school, with rates rising due to increased near work, such as screen time and reading. Traditional treatment has focused on correcting vision with standard glasses, but the condition typically worsens as children grow. Astronomers urge Chile to protect Atacama Night Skies from industrial project threat The FDA-approved Essilor Stellest lenses are designed for 6- to 12-year-olds and use 11 concentric rings with raised dots to redirect light onto the retina, slowing eye elongation. Clinical data show a 70% reduction in myopia progression and a 50% decrease in eye lengthening over two years. Experts say the glasses could reduce long-term risks of severe myopia, including retinal detachment, cataracts, and glaucoma. Unlike contact lenses or medicated drops, these glasses offer a non-invasive option for young children. The suggested retail price is $450, and many U.S. vision insurance plans are expected to cover the lenses. Ongoing U.S. studies aim to confirm the effectiveness of the lenses in American children. Source: AP 

The Atacama Desert, one of the darkest and clearest night skies on Earth, has become a vital hub for astronomers studying the universe. Its dry climate, high altitude, and isolation from urban light pollution make it ideal for major ground-based telescopes. But that pristine darkness faces a new threat, according to a group of leading scientists who issued an open letter to the Chilean government on Tuesday. A private company plans to build a massive renewable energy complex within sight of the Paranal Observatory, operated by the European Southern Observatory (ESO). Thirty prominent astronomers, including 2020 Nobel laureate Reinhard Genzel, warned the project poses “an imminent threat” to humanity’s ability to study the cosmos. The scientists emphasized that damage to Paranal’s observations would affect researchers worldwide, from studying planet formation to exploring the early universe. They urged the government to balance economic development with the protection of one of Earth’s most irreplaceable scientific resources. AES Andes, a subsidiary of U.S.-based AES Corp., said its studies show the project would comply with Chilean regulations and be compatible with astronomy. The proposed plan includes 3,000 hectares (7,400 acres) of wind and solar farms, a desalination plant, and a new port — all just 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) from Paranal. Experts warn this would increase light pollution by 35% and introduce dust, vibrations, and atmospheric turbulence, which could severely disrupt telescope observations. Sanda Lizard: A fascinating reptile of the desert “At the best sites in the world for astronomy, stars don’t twinkle. Even the smallest artificial turbulence would destroy these characteristics,” said Andreas Kaufer, ESO’s operations director. “If the sky brightens due to artificial light, observations are lost — and since we have the most sensitive telescopes at the best location, they’re lost for everyone.” Chile hosts around 40% of global astronomical infrastructure, and the situation in the Atacama reflects a wider global tension between industrial development and preserving dark skies. Light pollution is increasing about 10% per year, putting other prime observatory locations — including Hawaii and Arizona — at risk. “Major observatories have been forced to remote locations, and now even these last dark-sky sites are threatened by development and mining,” said Ruskin Hartley, executive director of DarkSky International, a nonprofit focused on preserving night skies. Source: AP 

UK officials announced Monday that Britain has secured a three-year commitment from the United States to apply a 0% tariff on all U.K. pharmaceutical exports, in exchange for the U.K. increasing its investment in new medications. Under the arrangement, the U.S. will waive import duties on U.K.-made medicines, pharmaceutical components, and medical technologies. According to the Trump administration, British drug companies have pledged to expand their investments in the U.S. and generate additional American jobs as part of the deal. British authorities said the zero-tariff access for all U.K. pharmaceutical exports is the most favorable rate the U.S. has granted any trading partner. In return, the National Health Service will raise its spending on new and effective treatments by roughly 25%—its first major increase in over twenty years. Officials noted that this boost in NHS investment should allow health regulators to approve medications that offer substantial clinical benefits but may have previously been rejected because of cost concerns, such as advanced cancer therapies or treatments for rare conditions. “This crucial agreement will help ensure U.K. patients receive cutting-edge treatments sooner, while enabling our world-class companies to continue developing life-changing innovations,” said Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall. The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry welcomed the pact, calling it “a significant step toward improving patient access to innovative medicines and raising broader NHS health outcomes.”ABPI chief executive Richard Torbett added that the deal should further strengthen the U.K.’s ability to attract global life-sciences investment and advanced medical research. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the agreement “enhances the global landscape for innovative medicines and brings long-needed balance to pharmaceutical trade between the U.S. and the U.K.” The announcement follows recent decisions by companies such as AstraZeneca to scale back or delay investments in Britain. U.S. Ambassador Warren Stephens has cautioned that American companies may reduce future investment unless rapid reforms are made. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer reached a preliminary framework for a broader trade deal that would cut U.S. tariffs on British autos, steel, and aluminum, while expanding U.S. access to the U.K. market for products such as beef and ethanol.

In the radioactive ruins of Chernobyl, black fungi have revealed a remarkable ability to survive and even thrive amid extreme radiation, offering insights that could help protect life in space. Ukrainian scientist Nelli Zhdanova first discovered the fungi in May 1997 inside the destroyed number four reactor. Instead of the expected silence, she found black mould clinging to walls, ceilings, and metal surfaces, showing resilience in one of the deadliest environments on Earth. Scientists call this phenomenon radiotropism, where fungi grow toward ionizing radiation, which is normally lethal to living cells. Zhdanova found 36 other fungal species in the contaminated reactor area, but the radiation-loving fungi were unique. Research shows that their high melanin content, the pigment that gives them their black color, absorbs and dissipates radiation, acting as an antioxidant and protecting cells from damage. Similar patterns were observed in frogs in Chernobyl lakes, whose darker skin offered better radiation protection. Further studies by nuclear scientist Ekaterina Dadachova in 2007 suggested that melanin-containing fungi may even use radiation energy for metabolism, a process known as radiosynthesis. Her team observed that fungi exposed to radioactive cesium grew faster than unexposed specimens. The species Cladosporium sphaerospermum, first observed by Zhdanova, was later sent to the International Space Station in 2018. There, it demonstrated the ability to grow under extreme cosmic radiation, confirming the fungi’s potential role in understanding radiation tolerance. These discoveries are now guiding research on radiation protection for humans and other life forms in space. They highlight how life adapts to extreme conditions and open new possibilities for future deep-space exploration.   With inputs from NDTV

A telescope in Chile has captured a breathtaking new image of a planetary nebula that resembles a graceful cosmic butterfly. The stunning picture, released by the National Science Foundation’s NOIRLab on Wednesday, was taken last month by the Gemini South telescope. The nebula, officially known as NGC 6302 and popularly called the Butterfly Nebula, lies between 2,500 and 3,800 light-years away in the constellation Scorpius. A light-year measures roughly six trillion miles. At the center of the nebula is a white dwarf star that expelled its outer layers of gas long ago. These discarded gases now form the striking butterfly-shaped wings that glow under the heat of the aging star. The astronomical target was selected by Chilean schoolchildren to mark the 25th anniversary of the International Gemini Observatory, adding a community-driven celebration to the celestial marvel. This observation highlights both the beauty and complexity of planetary nebulae, offering scientists and the public alike a glimpse into the dramatic final stages of a star’s life.

Saturn’s small moon Mimas, nicknamed the “Death Star” for its giant crater, may have a hidden ocean beneath its icy shell, researchers from UC Davis said. A slight wobble in the moon’s movement suggests the presence of liquid water below the surface. Icy moons like Mimas, Enceladus, and Miranda are heated by tidal forces from their parent planets and neighboring moons. This heat can melt the ice, forming subsurface oceans. On smaller moons, the ice layer is unlikely to crack, allowing water beneath to exist as liquid, solid, and gas simultaneously, potentially producing a boiling ocean. Max Rudolph, professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at UC Davis, said the research aims to understand how icy moons evolve over millions of years and to predict what hidden oceans might look like from the surface. The study noted that on larger moons, the ice may fracture before the water can boil, preventing the formation of such a boiling ocean. Observations of peaks and rocks on moons like Miranda may be explained by steam and gases from boiling subsurface water. Scientists say studying these hidden oceans could provide insights into potential habitats for extraterrestrial life in the outer solar system. With inputs from NDTV

Two oil tankers, reportedly part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” that caught fire off Turkey’s Black Sea coast may have been hit by mines, drones, or missiles, a senior Turkish official said Saturday. The vessels, Kairos and Virat, were attacked in quick succession late Friday, prompting rescue operations. All crew members on both ships were reported safe. Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said initial reports suggested the Kairos may have struck a mine, followed by news of an explosion on the Virat. “Our crews indicate that there were explosions on the other ship as well, likely caused by external interference,” Uraloglu told broadcaster NTV early Saturday. “Potential causes could include a mine, missile, marine vessel, or drone, but we do not have definitive information yet.” The OpenSanctions database, which tracks entities involved in sanctions evasion, identifies the vessels as part of a shadow fleet used to bypass sanctions imposed on Russia after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine has carried out successful naval attacks on Russian shipping, notably using marine drones packed with explosives, though these operations have mostly been confined to the northern Black Sea. The Gambian-flagged Kairos caught fire about 28 nautical miles off Turkey’s Kocaeli province while sailing empty toward Russia’s Novorossiysk port, according to Turkey’s Directorate General of Maritime Affairs. Less than an hour later, the Virat was reportedly struck about 35 nautical miles off the Turkish coast. Rescue teams were dispatched, and all 20 crew members aboard the Virat were safe, despite heavy smoke in the engine room. All 25 crew members on the Kairos were also safely evacuated, Kocaeli Governor Ilhami Aktas said. According to VesselFinder, the Virat had been anchored north of the Bosphorus on Nov. 4, while the Kairos’ last reported position was south of the Dardanelles Strait on Nov. 26. Both ships have been sanctioned by the U.S. and European authorities this year. OpenSanctions notes that the shadow tanker fleet generates multibillion-dollar revenue for the Kremlin, bypasses sanctions, disguises ownership, and poses environmental risks. The Virat, built in 2018, has previously sailed under the flags of Barbados, Comoros, Liberia, and Panama, while the Kairos, built in 2002, was formerly flagged as Panamanian, Greek, and Liberian. Ukraine’s military intelligence (GUR) reports that both ships frequently visit Russian ports, have a history of turning off their automatic identification systems, and have also docked at ports in China, Turkey, and India.

A three-member U.S.-Russian crew has begun an eight-month mission aboard the International Space Station following a launch from Kazakhstan on Thursday. The Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft lifted off at 2:27 p.m. from Russia’s Baikonur Cosmodrome, carrying NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Russian cosmonauts Sergei Mikaev and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov. The spacecraft docked with the ISS at 5:34 p.m. This mission marks the first spaceflight for Williams, a physicist, and Mikaev, a military pilot, while Kud-Sverchkov is on his second voyage. The crew will join current ISS residents: NASA astronauts Mike Fincke, Zena Cardman, Jonny Kim; Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Kimiya Yui; and Russian cosmonauts Sergei Ryzhikov, Alexei Zubritsky, and Oleg Platonov. Williams will lead scientific research and technology demonstrations designed to advance human space exploration and deliver benefits on Earth, NASA said. Roscosmos reported Thursday evening that the new crew was “in good health” following the launch. However, a routine inspection of the launch pad at Baikonur revealed damage to several components. Officials said all necessary spare parts are on hand and repairs are expected to be completed soon. The mission underscores ongoing U.S.-Russian collaboration in space exploration despite broader geopolitical tensions and highlights the continued use of the ISS as a platform for scientific research and international cooperation.

Laboratory tests suggest that all ByHeart infant formula products could be contaminated with bacteria that cause botulism, following an outbreak that has affected dozens of babies. Testing of 36 formula samples from three different product lots found five samples positive for Clostridium botulinum type A, the company said Monday on its website. “Based on these results, we cannot rule out the risk that all ByHeart formula across all product lots may have been contaminated,” the statement read. At least 31 infants in 15 states who consumed ByHeart formula have fallen ill since the outbreak began in August, according to federal and state health authorities. Additional cases linked to formula consumption have been reported as far back as November 2024, though they are not officially included in the outbreak count. Medical experts noted that the bacteria can be unevenly distributed in powdered formula, meaning not all infants who consume it will necessarily become ill, but all children under 1 year old are at risk. ByHeart issued a nationwide recall of all formula on Nov. 11, but some products reportedly remain on store shelves, according to the FDA and state officials. Parents and caregivers are urged to stop using the formula immediately and watch for symptoms, which can appear up to 30 days after consumption. Parents raise concerns over early ByHeart formula botulism cases Infant botulism occurs when spores germinate in the gut and release a toxin. Symptoms include constipation, difficulty feeding, drooping eyelids, a flat facial expression, and muscle weakness. The condition is a medical emergency requiring prompt treatment. Since Aug. 1, at least 107 infants nationwide have received BabyBIG, an IV medication for botulism. Normally, fewer than 200 infants are treated annually for the disease. Consumers who purchased ByHeart formula on or after Aug. 1 through the company’s website are eligible for a full refund under an expanded policy. Reports of illness can be submitted via FDA consumer complaint coordinators or the online MedWatch form. Source: AP

A volcano that had remained inactive for decades erupted in northern Ethiopia over the weekend, releasing ash clouds that drifted across the Red Sea toward Yemen and Oman. The Hayli Gubbi volcano, located in Ethiopia’s Afar region, began erupting early Sunday, blanketing the nearby village of Afdera in ash. Local administrator Mohammed Seid said there were no deaths or injuries, but the eruption could seriously affect the livelihoods of local livestock herders. He told The Associated Press that there is no known previous record of Hayli Gubbi erupting and expressed concern for the community’s future. “So far no people or animals have been lost, but many villages are now covered in ash, leaving little for their livestock to eat,” he noted. The Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Center in France confirmed the eruption, reporting that satellite imagery showed significant activity. Afar, an area known for frequent earthquakes, also experienced tremors. Resident Ahmed Abdela said he heard a loud blast followed by what felt like a shock wave. “It was like a bomb suddenly went off, with smoke and ash everywhere,” he recalled. By Monday, the village near the Danakil Desert—a popular tourist destination—was still coated in ash. Abdela said tourists and guides traveling to the desert were stranded there due to the conditions. Local authorities posted photos and videos showing a massive column of ash rising from the volcano.