New Discoveries in Health and Space Science: From Viruses in Bats to Habitable Exoplanets

In Australia, scientists have identified a previously unknown virus named Salt Gully in fruit bats, The Telegraph reported. Genetically related to Nipah and Hendra viruses, Salt Gully has not yet shown evidence of transmission to humans. Researchers at the National Science Agency emphasized that continued monitoring is essential given the history of bat-borne diseases.

Meanwhile, in the field of astronomy, Scottish researchers from the University of St Andrews reported in the Astrophysical Journal Letters the first evidence suggesting a possible atmosphere around TRAPPIST-1e, an Earth-like planet located 40 light-years away. Using the James Webb Space Telescope, the team found signs that the planet may host a secondary atmosphere containing heavy gases like nitrogen, a major step forward in the search for habitable worlds, Anadolu Agency reported.

On the medical front, a study by the University of Michigan published in Nature revealed a new metabolic vulnerability in glioblastoma, the deadliest form of brain cancer. According to Anadolu Agency, researchers found that cancer cells process sugar differently than healthy brain tissue, redirecting it to fuel rapid growth. Restricting amino acids such as serine and glycine in mice improved responses to therapy, pointing to potential new treatment strategies for patients.

In Poland, scientists at the West Pomeranian University of Technology have developed a biodegradable polymer that can be injected directly into broken bones. The material, as reported by Anadolu Agency, hardens inside the body, eliminating the need for metal pins or plates and eventually dissolves as the bone heals. Researchers believe it could revolutionize fracture treatment, particularly for common wrist injuries.

Expedition 501 has confirmed the existence of a massive freshwater aquifer beneath the Atlantic Ocean floor off the U.S. Northeast coast, according to Earth.com. Researchers suggest the aquifer may have formed either from ancient glacial meltwater or from more recent groundwater seepage. While offering potential future use in water-stressed regions, experts warn of significant engineering, ecological, and legal challenges surrounding extraction.