Science & Earth

Organizers say nearly all electricity for the Milan‑Cortina 2026 Winter Games will come from certified renewable sources, with Enel supplying 85 gigawatt‑hours backed by guarantee of origin certificates. Organizers and experts note that indirect emissions from travel and accommodations remain the largest share of the Games' carbon footprint.

Artemis II completed a wet dress rehearsal that met its main goals and a flight readiness review is scheduled for next week; NASA also released a report labeling the 2024 Boeing Starliner test a 'Type-A mishap'.

Three Florida fishermen about 20 miles off Port Canaveral saw and filmed a small pod of humpback whales while keeping a respectful distance, according to reports; officials note humpbacks are native to Florida waters and have faced past population declines.

Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope and ALMA identified 70 dusty, star-forming galaxy candidates seen less than 1 billion years after the Big Bang, with some forming about 500 million years after the Big Bang.

Astronomers report a faint galaxy about 300 million light‑years away whose mass is estimated at roughly 99.94–99.98 percent dark matter. The object, tentatively named CDG-2, was detected through four globular clusters and faint residual light seen when combining Hubble, Euclid and Subaru data.

A genomic survey of marine sediments found genes linked to oxygen use in Asgard archaea, including Heimdallarchaeia, suggesting these microbes may have tolerated or used oxygen earlier than previously thought.

An experimental nasal-spray vaccine given to mice activated both innate and adaptive lung immunity and protected against several coronaviruses, two bacterial species and a house-dust-mite allergen for at least three months; the results are from animal tests and human trials are still required.

National Weather Service probability maps show widespread chances of snow across the Northeast on Friday, with local totals up to 11 inches and winter storm warnings in parts of northern New York and Vermont.

Forecasters report emerging El Niño conditions may steer more storms to the Colorado River Basin and could raise inflows to Lake Mead; the reservoir's current elevation is about 1,065 feet, roughly 93 percent of its average for this time of year.

NASA satellite data guided the release of 158 giant tortoises on Floreana Island, the first reintroduction there in more than 150 years.

Punch, a rescued Japanese macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo, became viral for his attachment to an orange orangutan plush toy; Ikea Japan donated additional toys and an adult monkey named Onsing has been observed caring for him.

Experts say the Trump administration's reversal of the EPA endangerment finding is likely to increase illness and deaths in low-income and minority communities, and a coalition of health and environmental groups has sued the EPA over the revocation.

Household batteries can leak heavy metals and sometimes overheat, creating environmental and safety risks; recycling sends them to centers that break down and recover materials. Experts and the EPA say registered drop-off sites and recycling help manage those risks.

Researchers report a new Spinosaurus species, S. mirabilis, uncovered in Niger after remains first appeared in 2019 and were expanded in 2022; the animal’s scimitar-shaped crest and inland find challenge prior ideas about spinosaurid habitats.

National Justice for Animals Week (Feb 22–28, 2026) highlights efforts by lawyers, advocates, and legislators to expand legal protections for animals through litigation, statutory changes, and constitutional reforms.

An avalanche near Castle Peak in the Sierra Nevada killed eight skiers and left one person missing; families have identified six of the victims as mothers who often skied together.

A study in Frontiers in Environmental Science finds that a very high‑emissions future could cause irreversible damage to the Antarctic Peninsula, while a low‑emissions path would largely avoid the worst harms; the researchers say rapid emissions reductions this decade would be decisive.

World Pangolin Day on Feb. 21, 2026 draws attention to pangolins, which are heavily trafficked for meat and keratin scales, and all eight species now receive the highest trade protections under CITES.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 carried an international crew of four to the ISS, docking Saturday after a launch from Cape Canaveral; the flight replaces astronauts who returned early following a reported medical episode.

Archaeologists documented 2,000-year-old human and animal footprints exposed at Lunan Bay, Scotland, then the imprints were lost to the tide within days.

A published report describes a data-driven framework that combines data quality standards, interdisciplinary training, and predictive emission modeling to inform climate policy, and Bin Li is named as a contributor with academic and professional experience in environmental planning.

A SETI Institute study suggests Titan formed about 400 million years ago when two large moons collided, a scenario that could also explain the creation of Hyperion, several unusual satellite orbits, and a relatively young ring system.

A drought that began in 2020 has entered its sixth year in parts of the Southern Plains, including Texas and Oklahoma, and has contributed to wildfires and widespread water and agricultural losses.

A study of meteorite samples aboard the ISS found microbes leached metals at similar rates in microgravity and on Earth, and a fungus showed increased metabolism that helped extract 18 of 44 tested elements.

Michael Zelniker's eight-part series The Struggle for Mother Water was selected for the Berlinale Series Market and documents how billions lack reliable access to safe drinking water.

Satellite images from the Suomi NPP VIIRS instrument captured auroral ribbons over Iceland and parts of eastern Canada on Feb. 16 during a G1 geomagnetic storm that later reached G2, and NASA sounding rockets earlier in February collected data intended for 3D reconstructions of auroral electrical currents.

The National Park Service said most major parks, including Arches, Glacier and Yosemite, will not require advance vehicle-entry reservations this summer; some parks will retain ticketing for shuttles, timed parking, campsites or specific hikes.

The four-person Expedition 74 team carried out vein scans, pharmaceutical sample work, and routine maintenance aboard the International Space Station while continuing familiarization with station systems.

The James Webb Space Telescope captured an image of a jellyfish galaxy, ESO 137-001, as it appeared 8.5 billion years ago, showing gas tendrils with young star groupings. Researchers report the image suggests cluster environments could strip gas and alter galaxies earlier in cosmic history than previously expected.

A bipartisan poll of 3,419 registered voters in eight Western states found 84% view rollbacks of land, water and wildlife protections as a serious concern and 86% say spending cuts to national parks and public lands are problematic.