Astronauts do not need sunscreen in space because their advanced spacesuits and spacecraft windows are designed to block harmful UV radiation. These engineered protections, rather than topical lotions, ensure safety from the Sun's harsh rays during extravehicular activities and inside habitats. A rare suit tear did cause one astronaut sunburn, highlighting the critical role of this technology.

For decades, knuckle cracking has been blamed for arthritis and joint damage. Scientists now say the sound comes from gas cavities forming inside synovial fluid, not bones or cartilage. MRI studies and long-term experiments, including a 50-year self-study, show no evidence that habitual knuckle cracking causes arthritis or enlarges joints.

NASA is exploring the use of insects for future space missions. These small creatures can help pollinate crops, process waste, and maintain soil health on the Moon and Mars. Their ability to thrive in controlled environments with gravity offers a sustainable solution for long-term human survival beyond Earth. This biological approach complements technological advancements for space exploration.

Some people seem to attract mosquitoes far more than others, and scientists think there are clear biological reasons why. Research points to carbon dioxide output, body heat, clothing colour, exercise, pregnancy, skin chemistry and even blood type as factors that influence bites. Together, these cues help mosquitoes single out certain humans as preferred targets.

A 15,600-year-old human footprint discovered in southern Chile is now believed to be the earliest confirmed sign of human presence in South America. This discovery, made near Osorno, predates the previously accepted earliest settlement by about a thousand years, potentially altering migration timelines.

Skywatchers, take note! A 'black moon,' a rare lunar timing event, occurs when there are two new moons in a single month or the third new moon in a four-new-moon season. While invisible, these nights offer the darkest skies, perfect for stargazing and astrophotography. Plan your celestial observations for 2026 with our new moon calendar, featuring IST times.