In 2019, researchers at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia’s national science agency, discovered that a common soil fungus could do something no one expected: metabolize gold.
The fungus, a strain of Fusarium oxysporum, is usually known for decomposing organic matter. But in a study led by Dr. Tsing Bohu, scientists observed that it could dissolve gold particles in its environment and precipitate them onto its mycelial filaments, effectively coating itself in gold. “Gold is so chemically inactive that this type of interaction is unusual and surprising,” Bohu said in CSIRO’s statement.
This process—oxidizing and precipitating gold particles—doesn’t just involve passive contact. The fungus plays an active role in cycling gold from its environment, possibly contributing to how the metal moves through the Earth’s crust. This was the first time such a biological mechanism for gold cycling had been documented.
In a major leap for lunar navigation, China has successfully bounced a laser off a Moon-orbiting satellite in full daylight—a feat previously thought impossible due to intense solar interference. The breakthrough, carried out by the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL) using the Tiandu-1 satellite, marks the world’s first Earth-Moon laser-ranging success under strong sunlight, according to a report by Interesting Engineering.
The two-day experiment, conducted on April 26–27, demonstrated the precision tracking and signal clarity needed to support continuous navigation between Earth and the Moon. Until now, glaring solar background noise has limited such laser measurements to nighttime windows. With this barrier overcome, China has significantly advanced its roadmap for sustained lunar operations and deep-space infrastructure.
The recent success of NASA’s laser communication test represents a paradigm shift in space technology. Traditionally, space missions have relied on radio frequencies for communication. However, laser-based systems offer a data transmission capacity up to 100 times greater than conventional methods.
This advancement is not just about speed; it’s about expanding our capabilities in space exploration. With improved data transfer rates, future missions could:- Send high-resolution images and videos back to Earth more quickly
- Enable real-time communication with spacecraft and rovers
- Facilitate more complex scientific experiments in deep space
- Support potential human missions to Mars and beyond
The implications of this breakthrough are far-reaching, potentially transforming our understanding of the cosmos. Just as the Hubble Space Telescope captured breathtaking views of distant galaxies, future space telescopes equipped with laser communication could transmit even more detailed observations, expanding our knowledge of the universe. READ MORE...
