International Academic Excellence Awards

  When it comes to catastrophic asteroids, the one that wiped out the dinosaurs is infamous. The massive impact led to the extinction of T-Rex and Stegosaurus, forever altering evolution's course. However, researchers suggest another, lesser-known meteorite might have had an even more profound effect – potentially jumpstarting life on Earth. S2, a gargantuan space rock estimated to be four times the size of Mount Everest, is believed to have had a significant impact on Earth, particularly its oceans, Metro reported. The meteorite, S2, was first discovered in 2014 and it hit the planet about 3.26 billion years ago. This immense rock slammed into Earth, boiling the oceans and unleashing a record-breaking tsunami, a study published in PNAS said. Recently, scientists ventured to the impact crater in South Africa's Barberton Greenstone belt, created by the meteorite, to investigate its effects on the planet. The team collected 220 pounds of rock and took them back to the lab for ana

  Ukrainian researchers have identified components from Western companies in North Korean missiles used by Russia in attacks on Ukraine.  The Independent Anti-Corruption Commission reported finding microcontrollers and semiconductors from nine manufacturers in Ukrainian researchers say they've discovered components produced by western companies in North Korean missiles Russia used to attack the country, highlighting the need to enforce export controls. Microcontrollers, semiconductors and other elements produced by at least nine manufacturers were found in a North Korean KN-23/24 missile, the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission or NAKO said in its report.

  This exoplanet’s atmosphere is going full steam ahead. A planet beyond our solar system called GJ 9827d has an atmosphere composed almost completely of hot water molecules, astronomers report in the Astrophysical Journal Letters October 4. “We’re using the term ‘steam world,’” says astronomer Ryan MacDonald at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. GJ 9827d was discovered in 2017 orbiting a star about 100 light-years from Earth. At about twice Earth’s size and three times Earth’s mass, it’s a type of planet called a sub-Neptune (SN: 8/8/22). Worlds like this are the most common in the galaxy, although our solar system doesn’t have any. But just knowing the planet’s size and mass isn’t enough to deduce what it’s made of. To probe exoplanet skies, astronomers analyze starlight filtering through the planet’s atmosphere as it passes in front of its parent star (SN: 6/7/24). MacDonald and colleagues used the James Webb Space Telescope to observe two such passes, or transits, of GJ 9827d

  The first breakthrough in finding prime numbers for over 25 years has mathematicians celebrating, with hopes that the techniques behind the new proof could further advance other areas of maths. For the first time in more than 25 years, mathematicians have proven a new way to identify prime numbers, and in doing so developed a toolkit that could allow further advances in number theory. Prime numbers, which can only be divided by themselves or one, are the mathematical building blocks of whole numbers, and mathematicians have explored how they can be found and combined for hundreds of years. “New results about primes don’t come along that often, so whenever we get some new development, it feels worthwhile,” says Benjamin Green…

  A recent study has found that an extra Y chromosome may double the risk of autism, providing a new perspective on why autism is more common in men. Researchers suggest a closer examination of the Y chromosome could help identify risk factors for autism. Sex chromosomes determine biological sex, with men typically having XY chromosomes and women having XX chromosomes. However, some individuals may have an abnormal number of sex chromosomes, such as XXY or XYY, which are classified as 'sex chromos .. Autism and Gender Disparities Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by repetitive behaviors and challenges in social skills. Studies indicate that autism is nearly four times more prevalent in men than in women, highlighting a significant gender disparity.Study FindingsThe research team from the Autism and Developmental Medicine Institute in the U.S. examined autism diagn Implications for Autism ResearchPublished in the journal  Nature Communications, the study suggest

Lightning: It happens all the time, and yet the exact details of how it's made has long eluded scientists. New research out this week in the journal Nature gives new insights into the precursor to lightning — and it has to do with gamma rays. Because gamma rays are found in places like neutron stars and around black holes, yes. But they're also found in thunderstorms! Want to hear more stories about the science behind natural phenomena? Email us at shortwave@npr.org — we'd love to hear from you! Listen to Short Wave on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave. This episode was produced by Hannah Chinn and Jason Fuller. It was edited by Rebecca Ramirez and Brent Baughman. It was fact-checked by Tyler Jones. The audio engineer was J Czys.