NASA Science, Cargo Launches Aboard Northrop Grumman CRS-23

NASA is sending more science, technology demonstrations, and crew supplies to the International Space Station following the successful launch of the agency’s Northrop Grumman Commercial Resupply Services 23 mission, or Northrop Grumman CRS-23.
The company’s Cygnus XL spacecraft, carrying more than 11,000 pounds of cargo to the orbiting laboratory, lifted off at 6:11 p.m. EDT Sunday on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This mission is the first flight of the larger, more cargo-capable version of the solar-powered spacecraft.
Cygnus XL is scheduled to be captured at 6:35 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 17, by the Canadarm2 robotic arm, which NASA astronaut Jonny Kim will operate with assistance from NASA astronaut Zena Cardman. Following capture, the spacecraft will be installed to the Unity module’s Earth-facing port for cargo unloading.
The resupply mission is carrying dozens of research experiments that will be conducted during Expedition 73, including materials to produce semiconductor crystals in space and equipment to develop improvements for cryogenic fuel tanks. The spacecraft also will deliver a specialized UV light system to prevent the growth of microbe communities that form in water systems and supplies to produce pharmaceutical crystals that could treat cancer and other diseases.
These are just a sample of the hundreds of scientific investigations conducted aboard the station in the areas of biology and biotechnology, Earth and space science, physical sciences, as well as technology development and demonstrations. For nearly 25 years, NASA has supported a continuous U.S. human presence aboard the orbiting laboratory, where astronauts have learned to live and work in space for extended periods of time. The space station is a springboard for developing a low Earth economy and NASA’s next great leaps in exploration, including Artemis missions to the Moon and American astronaut missions to Mars.
NASA’s arrival, capture, and installation coverage are as follows (all times Eastern and subject to change based on real-time operations):
Wednesday, Sept. 17
5 a.m. – Arrival coverage begins on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and more.
6:35 a.m. – Capture of Cygnus XL with the space station’s robotic arm.
8 a.m. – Installation coverage begins on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and more.
All coverage times are estimates and could be adjusted based on operations after launch. Follow the space station blog for the most up-to-date information.
Cygnus XL is scheduled to remain at the orbiting laboratory until March 2026, before it departs and disposes of several thousand pounds of trash through its re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, where it will harmlessly burn up. The spacecraft is named the S.S. William “Willie” C. McCool, in honor of the NASA astronaut who perished in 2003 during the space shuttle Columbia accident.
Learn more about this NASA commercial resupply mission at:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/nasas-northrop-grumman-crs-23/
-end-
Josh Finch / Jimi RussellHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1100joshua.a.finch@nasa.gov / james.j.russell@nasa.gov
Steven SiceloffKennedy Space Center, Fla.321-876-2468steven.p.siceloff@nasa.gov
Sandra Jones / Joseph ZakrzewskiJohnson Space Center, Houston281-483-5111sandra.p.jones@nasa.gov / joseph.a.zakrzewski@nasa.gov

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Mechele Elliott Safeguards Agency Information Systems at Johnson

Space & Science / memoment editorial

As an IT security administrator at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Mechele Elliott protects the information systems that support astronaut health and mission readiness. The encouragement of a family friend set her on this path, leading to a rewarding and somewhat unexpected career in human spaceflight.

“While I was caring for my son during his cancer treatment—living in the hospital with him and supporting his recovery at home—a family friend who worked at NASA took notice,” Elliott said. “She quietly observed my strength, organization, and unwavering dedication to my son. One day she called and said, ‘Get your resume together.’”

Elliott doubted she was qualified for a position at NASA, though the friend was certain she could learn and handle anything after caring for her son. “Her belief in me gave me the courage to take that first step—and it changed the course of my life.”

The friend’s endorsement helped her land the position. Elliott was nervous at first, since she did not know much about NASA’s operations and had limited prior experience. With time and training, she grew more certain of the value she brought to the team.

“Reflecting on the numerous personal challenges I have encountered has reinforced my confidence in my ability to overcome obstacles while maintaining a positive outlook throughout my journey,” she said. “I am proud to have successfully adapted and become a productive member of my team.” In her role today, Elliott safeguards NASA’s information systems. She develops, implements, and maintains security policies, procedures, and systems in the Human Health and Performance Directorate, ensuring compliance with federal and NASA-specific security standards. Her work includes managing access control protocols and responding to security incidents.

One of her most challenging tasks involved assessing, revitalizing, and implementing four outdated security plans through collaboration with a diverse team. “We successfully aligned the security plans with established standards and garnered commendations from NASA leadership,” she said.

Outside of work, Elliott enjoys several hobbies that help her relax and maintain balance. She began painting at a young age and continues to find calm through her art. She is an avid gardener, in spite of the Houston summer heat, and feels fulfilled by the beauty of her flowers and sharing homegrown fruits and vegetables with her friends and family. She has also earned a reputation as an excellent baker. “I enjoy making cheesecakes for workplace celebrations and I’ve discovered that many of my coworkers enjoy this hobby of mine, as well!”

Elliott is profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve at NASA for over 25 years. Looking ahead to the agency’s future, she offers an important piece of advice to up-and-coming team members. “Remain authentic to yourselves, pursue your aspirations with determination, and uphold a commitment to excellence in all your endeavors.”

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“The Accident”: How a Cosmic Misfit Helped Solve a Planetary Mystery

Military & Secret Tech, Space & Science, UFOs & Disclosure / memoment editorial

In 2020, a citizen scientist spotted a faint object approximately 50 light-years from Earth while working on the Backyard Worlds: Planet 9 project. The object displayed unusual characteristics that set it apart from other known stars and brown dwarfs, earning it the nickname “The Accident.” A detailed study of its atmosphere has now provided new insight into the formation of clouds on giant gas planets.
Using data from Chile’s Gemini South telescope and NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers detected silane (SiH₄) in The Accident’s atmosphere. This simple molecule, composed of silicon and hydrogen, has long been predicted to help seed clouds in the atmosphere of giant gas planets like Jupiter and Saturn. Yet after decades of searching, silane had never been confirmed anywhere until now, in a brown dwarf that formed billions of years before the gas giants.
A Strange Brown Dwarf
Brown dwarfs occupy a middle ground between planets and stars; they are too massive to be considered planets, but not massive enough to sustain nuclear fusion like stars. Estimated to be 10 to 12 billion years old, The Accident formed during a time when the universe primarily consisted of hydrogen and helium and contained relatively few other elements. Its combination of characteristics has puzzled astronomers, as it displays features typical of both younger, warmer brown dwarfs and colder, ancient ones, making it particularly notable among other brown dwarfs.
Due to its unusual light signature, The Accident was not detected by standard search techniques and was only identified through the efforts of a citizen scientist. Following the identification of the brown dwarf, NSF NOIRLab astronomer Sandy Leggett used Gemini South to capture additional near-infrared images of The Accident for further assessment. In turn, these new images guided NOIRLab astronomer Aaron Meisner to conduct more detailed investigations with the James Webb Space Telescope to explore the object’s atmospheric depths.
The Silane Surprise
Analysis of data from the James Webb Space Telescope revealed a previously unseen chemical signature. Silane’s presence in The Accident’s atmosphere is the first confirmed detection of this compound in any planetary atmosphere, brown dwarf, or elsewhere in the Solar System.
“Sometimes it’s the extreme objects that help us understand what’s happening in the average ones,” said Jackie Faherty of the American Museum of Natural History, lead author of the new study published in Nature.
Finding silane in the atmosphere of The Accident is key to understanding the formation of clouds on other planets. This discovery provides the first strong observational evidence that silane plays a role in cloud formation, supporting earlier predictions about cloud chemistry and its importance to planetary weather and structure.
The Secrets of Age
The Accident’s chemistry is connected to its age. Formed in the early universe, when elements such as oxygen and carbon were less abundant, its chemistry allowed silicon to bond with hydrogen and create silane. Due to its light weight, silane rises into the upper atmosphere, making it accessible to telescopic observations.
In contrast, planets such as Jupiter and Saturn formed much later, in environments rich in oxygen. In these conditions, silicon typically forms heavier compounds with oxygen, which settle deeper in the atmosphere and are not visible to telescopes. This difference explains why silane has not been detected in our Solar System, despite extensive searches.
One of the NEOWISE surveys, showing the strange object zooming past potential brown dwarf candidates; this prompted Dan Caselden to nickname this oddity “the Accident.” (NASA/JPL-Caltech/Dan Caselden, 2021)
A Happy Accident
Resolving a key chemical puzzle, this finding also demonstrates that examining rare cosmic phenomena, such as The Accident, can deepen our understanding of planetary science in general. Studying exceptional cases allows researchers to improve models so they more accurately reflect common planetary types.

The work further sheds light on the complexity of exoplanet atmospheres, helping to explain why gas giants with comparable sizes and masses may still exhibit dramatically different characteristics, depending on how they formed.
The findings of this study also highlight the importance of teamwork in astronomical research. Initial data came from ground-based observatories, including Gemini. The James Webb Space Telescope, equipped with superior sensitivity, subsequently verified the chemical findings. Additionally, the unusual feature in the survey data was first noticed by an attentive citizen scientist.
As Faherty and her team point out, findings like this show that chemical processes from the early universe continue to shape the planets we study today. By examining the atmosphere of a single faint brown dwarf, astronomers have addressed a gap in planetary science and gained a new perspective for understanding gas giants in our own Solar System.
Austin Burgess is a writer and researcher with a background in sales, marketing, and data analytics. He holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, along with a certification in Data Analytics. His work combines analytical training with a focus on emerging science, aerospace, and astronomical research.

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Did Volcanic Eruptions Support Life on Ancient Mars? New Research Says It’s Possible.

Military & Secret Tech, Space & Science, UFOs & Disclosure / memoment editorial

Volcanic activity may have given rise to life on Mars, according to a University of Texas at Austin-led research team investigating how a greenhouse-like effect on the Red Planet long ago could have produced habitable conditions.
The early Martian climate remains a mystery to planetary scientists, but Martian meteorites offer some clues. In a new study published in Science Advances, computer modeling was used to help make predictions about the climate of ancient Mars, which would have been favorable to simple life.
Modeling A Climate for Life on Mars
The team conducted 40 simulations, modeling the chemistry, concentrations, and temperatures of early Mars to estimate the presence of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur-based gases. The results contradicted earlier studies that pointed to a sulfur dioxide–rich atmosphere. Instead, the models suggested sodium sulfide, disulfur, and potentially sulfur hexafluoride dominated. These chemically reduced forms of sulfur are highly reactive, with sulfur hexafluoride acting as a powerful greenhouse gas. This unexpected mix, the team says, may have created conditions suitable for life.
“The presence of reduced sulfur may have induced a hazy environment which led to the formation of greenhouse gases, such as SF6, that trap heat and liquid water,” said lead author Lucia Bellino. “The degassed sulfur species and redox conditions are also found in hydrothermal systems on Earth that sustain diverse microbial life.”
Volcanic Atmosphere
Researchers have long considered how volcanic eruptions shaped Mars’s atmosphere, but this study is the first to focus on how geologic processes altered the sulfur released. The analysis looked at how sulfur separated from other materials and merged into magma beneath the Martian crust.
Understanding these processes helps explain what types of sulfuric gases were released and how they contributed differently to the early Martian climate. Today, sulfur samples collected on Mars vary depending on location: surface samples often show sulfur bonded with oxygen, while meteorites contain large amounts of reduced sulfur.
“This indicates that sulfur cycling – the transition of sulfur to different forms – may have been a dominant process occurring on early Mars,” Bellino said.
Curiosity Discovers Sulfur
NASA’s Mars Curiosity rover offered supporting evidence last year when it broke open a Martian rock and revealed elemental sulfur inside—the first discovery of pure, unbound sulfur on the planet.
“We were very excited to see the news from NASA and a large outcrop of elemental sulfur,” said co-author Chenguang Sun. “One of the key takeaways from our research is that as S₂ was emitted, it would precipitate as elemental sulfur. When we started working on this project, there were no such known observations.”
Continuing the Search for Life on Mars
The University of Texas team plans to expand their simulations to examine Mars’s water cycle and other climate factors. They aim to understand whether volcanic activity could have generated large surface water reservoirs and whether sulfur could have served as a food source for ancient microbes, much like ecosystems around hydrothermal vents on Earth.

While today’s Mars averages a frigid –80°F, the modeled greenhouse emissions could have significantly warmed the young planet. The researchers hope their work will clarify just how warm ancient Mars may have been, and whether microbial life could have survived there.
The paper, “Volcanic Emission of Reduced Sulfur Species Shaped the Climate of Early Mars,” appeared in Science Advances on September 3, 2025.
Ryan Whalen covers science and technology for The Debrief. He holds an MA in History and a Master of Library and Information Science with a certificate in Data Science. He can be contacted at ryan@thedebrief.org, and follow him on Twitter @mdntwvlf.

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2 google releases emergency chrome patch after cyber espionage attacks on users body

This Chrome VPN extension secretly spies on you

Space & Science / memoment editorial

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Browser extensions promise convenience, but some take far more than they give. A new report from Koi Security says that FreeVPN.One, a Chrome extension with more than 100,000 installs and even a “Featured” badge, has been secretly taking screenshots of users’ browsing sessions.Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM/NEWSLETTERHOW AI IS NOW HELPING HACKERS FOOL YOUR BROWSER’S SECURITY TOOLS Google Chrome extension FreeVPN.One has allegedly taken screenshots of users’ sensitive information. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)How FreeVPN.One secretly captured your browsingOnce installed, FreeVPN.One didn’t just handle VPN traffic. It silently captured screenshots of every website you visited, bank logins, private photos, sensitive documents, and sent them to servers controlled by the developer.Even worse, the extension added permissions step by step, disguising its activity as “AI Threat Detection.” What looked like a useful feature became a tool for constant background surveillance.Why this Chrome extension threat is so dangerousPeople install VPNs to protect their privacy. Instead, this extension flipped that expectation on its head. By using Chrome’s and scripting permissions, FreeVPN.One gained access to every page you opened.Koi Security researchers tested the extension and confirmed it captured screenshots even on trusted sites like Google Photos and Google Sheets. The developer claimed these images were not stored, but offered no proof.MALICIOUS BROWSER EXTENSIONS CAUGHT SPYING ON 2 MILLION USERS The screenshots were allegedly sent to the extension’s developer. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)Warning signs of unsafe free VPN extensionsThere were red flags all along:Awkward grammar and poorly written descriptions.A generic Wix page as the only developer “contact.”A promise of unlimited, free VPN service with no clear business model.While some free VPNs may work responsibly, most need a way to profit. If it isn’t by charging you, it may be by selling your data.FreeVPN.One developer’s response and Google’s removalWhen Koi Security published its findings, the developer behind FreeVPN.One offered a partial explanation. He claimed the automatic screenshot captures were part of a “Background Scanning” feature, intended only for suspicious domains. He also said the images weren’t stored, only briefly analyzed for threats.But researchers observed screenshots taken on trusted sites like Google Photos and Google Sheets, which don’t fit that explanation. When asked to provide proof of legitimacy, such as a company profile, GitHub repository, or professional contact, the developer stopped responding. The only public link tied to the extension led to a basic Wix starter page.FreeVPN.One has been removed from the Chrome Web Store. Attempts to visit its page now return the message: “This item is not available.”While the removal reduces the risk of new downloads, it also highlights a troubling gap. The extension spent months with spyware behavior while still carrying a verified label, raising questions about how thoroughly Chrome reviews updates to featured extensions.GOOGLE FIXES ANOTHER CHROME SECURITY FLAW BEING ACTIVELY EXPLOITED FreeVPN.one is not available in the Microsoft Edge store (Koi Security)Steps to protect yourself from VPN extension spywareIf you’ve installed FreeVPN.One or any suspicious Chrome VPN extension, take these steps if you are concerned for your cybersecurity:1) Uninstall immediatelyGo to Chrome > Window > Extensions and click remove.2) Use a trusted VPNStick to reliable VPN providers that have proven track records, audited policies, and transparent operations. By choosing a legitimate VPN, you take control of your privacy instead of handing it over to an anonymous developer. A reliable VPN is also essential for protecting your online privacy and ensuring a secure, high-speed connection.For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com/VPN 3) Scan your device with strong antivirus softwareRun a trusted antivirus tool to check for hidden malware. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com/LockUpYourTech 4) Change your passwordsAssume anything typed or viewed could have been logged. Consider using a password manager, which securely stores and generates complex passwords, reducing the risk of password reuse. Next, see if your passwords have been exposed in past breaches. Our #1 password manager (see Cyberguy.com/Passwords) pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 at Cyberguy.com/Passwords5) Use a personal data removal serviceExtensions like FreeVPN.One show how easily your private details can be collected and exploited. Even after uninstalling spyware, your personal information may already be circulating on data broker sites that sell your identity to marketers, scammers, and even cybercriminals. A personal data removal service can scan for your information across hundreds of broker sites and automatically request its removal. This limits how much of your data can be weaponized if it’s ever exposed through an extension like this.Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com/DeleteGet a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com/FreeScan6) Check permissionsBefore adding any extension, review what it requests. If a VPN wants access to “all websites,” that’s a red flag.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPKurt’s key takeawaysFreeVPN.One is a reminder that “free” often comes at a hidden cost; your data. Don’t assume an extension is safe just because it looks popular or carries a badge. Be critical, vet carefully, and use privacy tools backed by real companies.Would you trade your browsing privacy for a free tool, or is it time to rethink the cost of “free”? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/ContactSign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM/NEWSLETTERCopyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

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Scientists extract silver from e-waste using cooking oil

Space & Science / memoment editorial

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What if your old bottle of cooking oil could help save the planet and your smartphone? That’s the big idea behind a groundbreaking discovery by researchers in Finland. Scientists from the University of Helsinki and the University of Jyväskylä have found that you can recover silver from electronic waste using common kitchen ingredients like vegetable oil and hydrogen peroxide. This sustainable, scalable method published in the Chemical Engineering Journal could change how we mine precious metals from our growing piles of electronic junk.Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM/NEWSLETTER OLD SMARTPHONES ARE BEING TURNED INTO TINY DATA CENTERS Scientists have discovered a new method of silver extraction from electronics by using cooking oil. (uni Takahashi/Bloomberg via Getty Images)How cooking oil recovers silver from electronic wasteHere’s how it works. Fatty acids found in oils like sunflower or olive oil are mixed with hydrogen peroxide. When heated slightly, this combo safely dissolves silver from old circuit boards, wires or keyboard connectors. Then, using ethyl acetate, a far less toxic alternative to industrial solvents, researchers pull out the silver in a solid form. Unlike traditional methods that rely on harsh acids or cyanide-based solutions, this technique avoids toxic runoff and air pollution. Think of it as salad dressing meets science lab, without the environmental mess.Why recycling silver from e-waste is urgently neededSilver powers the devices you use every day, such as phones, solar panels, electric vehicles and even medical tech. But less than 20% of it gets recycled. As demand rises and natural resources shrink, finding clean ways to reclaim silver isn’t just smart, it’s necessary. Silver prices have surged sixfold in the last 25 years. At the same time, supply has lagged. That makes e-waste a goldmine, literally, for anyone who can unlock its hidden metals without poisoning the environment.NEW TECH RECOVERS 92% OF EV BATTERY METALS Fatty acids found in cooking oil can stabilize silver ions for easier extraction. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)How scientists extract silver using fatty acids and lightTo figure out exactly how this all works, researchers used advanced computer models to study how fatty acids interact with silver ions. The process not only stabilizes the silver but also allows for easy recovery using light and simple solvents. Better still, the ingredients can be reused and there’s no chemical waste or massive cost. And it’s highly selective. The method targets silver while leaving other metals behind, a major step forward in urban mining. In testing, even silver-coated keyboard connectors were cleanly processed into pure elemental silver powder using this system. Indian labourers sift through a heap of pre-owned mobile phones in an electronic waste workshop on December 5, 2023 in New Delhi, India. (Yawar Nazir/Getty Images)What this means for youThis research brings us closer to safe, at-home or small-scale recycling kits that could recover silver from old gadgets. Recyclers and manufacturers could adopt this method to reduce chemical waste and operating costs, while protecting workers and the environment. This method supports a future where nothing goes to waste. It keeps valuable materials in use, cutting down the need for mining and pollution. Silver is vital for making many of the tech items we use every day. Reusing it responsibly means cleaner energy at a lower cost and less reliance on mined resources.Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right — and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com/QuizKurt’s key takeawaysWe’ve long known that waste is a problem. Now, it might also be the solution. By turning everyday ingredients into powerful recycling tools, scientists are showing us what’s possible when chemistry and sustainability meet. The process is still being refined, but the promise is clear: a greener future where reclaiming valuable metals doesn’t cost the earth, or our health.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPIf you could extract silver from your old gadgets with tools in your kitchen, would you do it? Or should this be left to the pros? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/ContactSign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM/NEWSLETTER Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

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Ryugu Asteroid Discovery “Forces Us to Rethink” Origins of Water on Our Planet

Military & Secret Tech, Space & Science, UFOs & Disclosure / memoment editorial

Near-Earth asteroid Ryugu was previously covered in flowing water, say researchers examining samples returned by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA) Hayabusa2 mission, with implications for scientists’ understanding of space impacts like those that formed Earth.
The manner in which Earth gained such an abundance of water has long been a blind spot in understanding the formation of our solar system. While researchers have long believed that asteroids composed of ice and dust, like Ryugu, brought the liquid to Earth, many details of the events are uncertain.
Analyzing Ryugu
In 2018, JAXA’s Hayabusa2 spacecraft landed rovers on Ryugu’s surface to supplement remote sensing data with direct rock samples. Some tiny pieces were eventually returned to Earth in 2020, giving scientists access to previously missing information about near-Earth objects.
“We found that Ryugu preserved a pristine record of water activity, evidence that fluids moved through its rocks far later than we expected,” said lead author Tsuyoshi Iizuka from the Department of Earth and Planetary Science at the University of Tokyo. “This changes how we think about the long-term fate of water in asteroids. The water hung around for a long time and was not exhausted so quickly as thought.”
Two isotopes are present in the samples, lutetium and hafnium, to act as a radioactive clock, allowing scientists to measure geological processes by their radioactive decay. Based on previous work studying Ryugu, the researchers were fairly certain about the concentrations of the two isotopes that they would find in their analysis.
Unexpected Results
However, the measurements surprised them, with a much greater ratio of hafnium to lutetium than expected, suggesting something was washing the lutetium from the rocks.
“We thought that Ryugu’s chemical record would resemble certain meteorites already studied on Earth,” said Iizuka. “But the results were completely different. This meant we had to carefully rule out other possible explanations and eventually concluded that the Lu-Hf system was disturbed by late fluid flow.”
That disturbance most likely occurred on Ryugu’s larger parent asteroid, the researchers say. Such an event would have fractured rocks and melted ice, allowing for liquid water to begin flowing throughout, and possibly led to the discharge of Ryugu itself from the larger body. Such a finding indicated that carbonaceous asteroids like Ryugu may have contained much more water than previously suspected by two to threefold.
“The idea that Ryugu-like objects held on to ice for so long is remarkable,” said Iizuka. “It suggests that the building blocks of Earth were far wetter than we imagined. This forces us to rethink the starting conditions for our planet’s water system. Though it’s too early to say for sure, my team and others might build on this research to clarify things, including how and when our Earth became habitable.”
Challenges in Asteroid Research
Unfortunately, the researchers were only able to work with a sample smaller than a grain of rice, as the few grams of material returned from Ryugu have been divided up between many researchers. To mitigate the limitations of such a tiny amount of material, the team devised innovative techniques for separating the elements and increasing analytical precision, maximizing what could be gleaned.

“Our small sample size was a huge challenge,” recalled Iizuka. “We had to design new chemistry methods that minimized elemental loss while still isolating multiple elements from the same fragment. Without this, we could never have detected such subtle signs of late fluid activity.”
Next, the team is focusing on phosphate veins, which appear in the Ryugu samples, which will provide further context for the age of any liquid flow. Additionally, they seek to compare the findings with other asteroid samples, such as those NASA’s OSIRIS-REx collected from Bennu, to determine how unique Ryugu’s conditions may be. Continued research will provide further insight into how our planet acquired its life-giving water supply.
The paper, “Late Fluid Flow in a Primitive Asteroid Revealed by Lu-Hf Isotopes in Ryugu,” appeared in Nature on September 11, 2025.
Ryan Whalen covers science and technology for The Debrief. He holds an MA in History and a Master of Library and Information Science with a certificate in Data Science. He can be contacted at ryan@thedebrief.org, and follow him on Twitter @mdntwvlf.

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Fox News AI Newsletter: Backlash over mystery company’s data center

AI & Singularity, Space & Science / memoment editorial

A car drives past a building of the Digital Realty Data Center in Ashburn, Virginia, March 17, 2025. (REUTERS/Leah Millis)NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Welcome to Fox News’ Artificial Intelligence newsletter with the latest AI technology advancements.IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:- Mystery company’s $1.6B data center proposed for Wisconsin farmland draws residents’ ire- OpenAI’s nonprofit parent company secures $100B equity stake while retaining control of AI giant- Tech titan says Trump administration ‘really proactive’ on keeping American AI leadership ahead’VERY SKEPTICAL’: People living in a Midwest city known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreation are sounding the alarm on a proposed data center with a price tag of $1.6 billion.MAJOR MOVE: Artificial intelligence giant OpenAI on Thursday announced its nonprofit parent will retain control of the company while also gaining an equity stake worth more than $100 billion.TECH BOOM: An important player in the global semiconductor and artificial intelligence industries is praising the Trump administration’s plan to keep America ahead of its adversaries.BILLIONAIRE BOOM: Oracle’s stock surge has pushed co-founder Larry Ellison’s net worth higher by tens of billions of dollars the last two days and puts him ahead of Tesla CEO Elon Musk as the richest person in the world. Oracle founder Larry Ellison speaks during a news conference with President Donald Trump in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)TECH FOR CHORES: Tired of dragging your bins to the curb and waking up to the roar of garbage trucks? A new robot called HARR-E could change that routine. Built by American manufacturing giant Oshkosh Corp., this autonomous trash collector comes to your door when you call it, just like a rideshare. HARR-E trash robot (Oshkosh)’NOTORIOUS’: Tarboro, North Carolina, residents are urging their town council to reject a proposal for a 50-acre, 300-megawatt Energy Storage Solutions LLC site projected to bring 500 jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue to the town. CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY: Artificial intelligence has slipped quietly into our meetings. Zoom, Google Meet and other platforms now offer AI notetakers that listen, record and share summaries. At first, it feels like a helpful assistant. No more scrambling to jot down every point. But there’s a catch. It records everything, including comments you never planned to share.TECH CLASH: President Donald Trump’s push to establish “America’s global AI dominance” could run into friction from an unlikely source: the “effective altruism” movement, a small but influential group that has a darker outlook on artificial intelligence.FUTURE ON AUTOPILOT: Trucking, like many foundational sectors, is undergoing significant transformation. Artificial intelligence is already enhancing efficiency and productivity across various industries, and it is now making its way into logistics. An Aurora Innovation Inc. driverless truck at the company’s terminal in Palmer, Texas, US, on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2023. Driverless trucks with no humans on board will soon cruise Texas, highways if three startup firms have their way, despite objections from critics who say financial pressures, not safety, is behind the timetable. Photographer: Dylan Hollingsworth/Bloomberg via Getty Images

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Hacker exploits AI chatbot in cybercrime spree

AI & Singularity, Space & Science / memoment editorial

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A hacker has pulled off one of the most alarming AI-powered cyberattacks ever documented. According to Anthropic, the company behind Claude, a hacker used its artificial intelligence chatbot to research, hack, and extort at least 17 organizations. This marks the first public case where a leading AI system automated nearly every stage of a cybercrime campaign, an evolution that experts now call ‘vibe hacking’.Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM/NEWSLETTERHOW AI CHATBOTS ARE HELPING HACKERS TARGET YOUR BANKING ACCOUNTS Simulated ransom guidance created by Anthropic’s threat intelligence team for research and demonstration purposes. (Anthropic)How a hacker used an AI chatbot to strike 17 targetsAnthropic’s investigation revealed how the attacker convinced Claude Code, a coding-focused AI agent, to identify vulnerable companies. Once inside, the hacker:Built malware to steal sensitive files.Extracted and organized stolen data to find high-value information.Calculated ransom demands based on victims’ finances.Generated tailored extortion notes and emails.Targets included a defense contractor, a financial institution, and multiple healthcare providers. The stolen data included Social Security numbers, financial records, and government-regulated defense files. Ransom demands ranged from $75,000 to over $500,000.Why AI cybercrime is more dangerous than everCyber extortion is not new. But this case shows how AI transforms it. Instead of acting as an assistant, Claude became an active operator scanning networks, crafting malware, and even analyzing stolen data. AI lowers the barrier to entry. In the past, such operations required years of training. Now, a single hacker with limited skills can launch attacks that once took a full criminal team. This is the frightening power of agentic AI systems.HOW AI IS NOW HELPING HACKERS FOOL YOUR BROWSER’S SECURITY TOOLS A simulated ransom note template that hackers could use to scam victims. (Anthropic)What vibe hacking reveals about AI-powered threatsSecurity researchers refer to this approach as vibe hacking. It describes how hackers embed AI into every phase of an operation.Reconnaissance: Claude scanned thousands of systems and identified weak points.Credential theft: It extracted login details and escalated privileges.Malware development: Claude generated new code and disguised it as trusted software.Data analysis: It sorted stolen information to identify the most damaging details.Extortion: Claude created alarming ransom notes with victim-specific threats.This systematic use of AI marks a shift in cybercrime tactics. Attackers no longer just ask AI for tips; they use it as a full-fledged partner.GOOGLE AI EMAIL SUMMARIES CAN BE HACKED TO HIDE PHISHING ATTACKS A cybercriminal’s initial sales offering on the dark web seen in January 2025. (Anthropic)How Anthropic is responding to AI abuseAnthropic says it has banned the accounts linked to this campaign and developed new detection methods. Its Threat Intelligence team continues to investigate misuse cases and share findings with industry and government partners. The company admits, however, that determined actors can still bypass safeguards. And experts warn that these patterns are not unique to Claude; similar risks exist across all advanced AI models.How to protect yourself from AI cyberattacksHere’s how to defend against hackers now using AI tools to their advantage:1. Use strong, unique passwords everywhereHackers who break into one account often attempt to use the same password across your other logins. This tactic becomes even more dangerous when AI is involved because a chatbot can quickly test stolen credentials across hundreds of sites. The best defense is to create long, unique passwords for every account you have. Treat your passwords like digital keys and never reuse the same one in more than one lock.Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our #1 password manager (see Cyberguy.com/Passwords) pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 at Cyberguy.com/Passwords2. Protect your identity and use a data removal serviceThe hacker who abused Claude didn’t just steal files; they organized and analyzed them to find the most damaging details. That illustrates the value of your personal information in the wrong hands. The less data criminals can find about you online, the safer you are. Review your digital footprint, lock down privacy settings, and reduce what’s available on public databases and broker sites.While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com/DeleteGet a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com/FreeScan Illustration of a hacker at work. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)3. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA)Even if a hacker obtains your password, 2FA can stop them in their tracks. AI tools now help criminals generate highly realistic phishing attempts designed to trick you into handing over logins. By enabling 2FA, you add an extra layer of protection that they cannot easily bypass. Choose app-based codes or a physical key whenever possible, as these are more secure than text messages, which are easier for attackers to intercept.4. Keep devices and software updatedAI-driven attacks often exploit the most basic weaknesses, such as outdated software. Once a hacker knows which companies or individuals are running old systems, they can use automated scripts to break in within minutes. Regular updates close those gaps before they can be targeted. Setting your devices and apps to update automatically removes one of the easiest entry points that criminals rely on.5. Be suspicious of urgent messagesOne of the most alarming details in the Anthropic report was how the hacker used AI to craft convincing extortion notes. The same tactics are being applied to phishing emails and texts sent to everyday users. If you receive a message demanding immediate action, such as clicking a link, transferring money, or downloading a file, treat it with suspicion. Stop, check the source, and verify before you act.6. Use a strong antivirus softwareThe hacker in this case built custom malware with the help of AI. That means malicious software is getting smarter, faster, and harder to detect. Strong antivirus software that constantly scans for suspicious activity provides a critical safety net. It can identify phishing emails and detect ransomware before it spreads, which is vital now that AI tools make these attacks more adaptive and persistent.Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com/LockUpYourTech Over 40,000 Americans were previously exposed in a massive OnTrac security breach, leaking sensitive medical and financial records. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)7. Stay private online with a VPNAI isn’t only being used to break into companies; it’s also being used to analyze patterns of behavior and track individuals. A VPN encrypts your online activity, making it much harder for criminals to connect your browsing to your identity. By keeping your internet traffic private, you add another layer of protection for hackers trying to gather information they can later exploit.For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com/VPNCLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Kurt’s key takeawaysAI isn’t just powering helpful tools; it’s also arming hackers. This case proves that cybercriminals can now automate attacks in ways once thought impossible. The good news is, you can take practical steps today to reduce your risk. By making smart moves, such as enabling two-factor authentication (2FA), updating devices, and using protective tools, you can stay one step ahead.Do you think AI chatbots should be more tightly regulated to prevent abuse? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/ContactSign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM/NEWSLETTERCopyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

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The US is trying to kick-start a “nuclear energy renaissance”

Space & Science / memoment editorial

Doing more with less?
Although the Trump administration aims to accelerate nuclear energy through executive orders, in practice, it has not allocated new funding yet, said Matt Bowen, an expert on nuclear energy, waste, and nonproliferation at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy. In fact, the initial White House budget proposed cutting $4.7 billion from the Department of Energy, including $408 million from the Office of Nuclear Energy allocated for nuclear research in the 2026 fiscal year.
“The administration was proposing cuts to Office of Nuclear Energy and DOE more broadly, and DOGE is pushing staff out,” said Bowen. “How do you do more with less? Less staff, less money.”
The Trump administration places the blame for the nuclear sector’s stagnation on the NRC, which oversees licensing and recertification processes that cost the industry millions of dollars each year in compliance. In his executive orders, Trump called for a major reorganization of the NRC. Some of the proposed changes, like streamlining the approval process (which can take years for new plants), may be welcomed because “for a long time, they were very, very, very slow,” said Charles Forsberg, a nuclear chemical engineer at MIT. But there are worries that the executive orders could do more than cut red tape.
“Every word in those orders is of concern, because the thrust of those orders is to essentially strip the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of its independence from the executive branch, essentially nullifying the original purpose,” said Lyman.
Some experts fear that with these new constraints, NRC staff will have less time and fewer resources to do their jobs, which could impact power plant safety in the future. Bowen said: “This notion that the problem for nuclear energy is regulation, and so all we need to do is deregulate, is both wrong and also really problematic.”
The next few decades will tell whether nuclear, especially SMRs, can overcome economic and technical challenges to safely contribute to decarbonization efforts. Some, like Gehin, are optimistic. “I think we’re going to accelerate,” he said. “We certainly can achieve a dramatic deployment if we put our mindset to it.”
But making nuclear financially competitive will take serious commitment from the government and the dozens of companies, with many still skeptical, Shirvan said. “I am quite, I would say, on the pessimistic scale when it comes to the future of nuclear energy in the US.”
This article was originally published on Undark. Read the original article.

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