Queensland floods trigger more than 16 rescues and close schools

Queensland floods force rescues as more storms are forecast

Queensland flooding forced more than 16 rescues in fast-moving water and shut schools. On 25 October, gusts reached 100km/h in central-west New South Wales, while Australia’s weather bureau had eight southern Queensland flood warnings in place and forecast further storms into 26 October.

Danish coastal pellets likely come from Tyne spill, environment agency says

Denmark’s environment agency says coastal pellets likely originated in the River Tyne spill. Tests with Aarhus University found matching characteristics, while currents and the absence of another recorded spill supported the link, suggesting the plastic travelled about 630 km across the North Sea.

Researchers map alpine greening in northeastern North America

Researchers mapped widespread alpine greening in northeastern North America using nearly 1,000 satellite images from 1984–2024. The measurements do not identify which plant species are responsible, and the team plans to investigate slower-greening areas to understand why the pace differs.

Updated

Ebola cases emerge in Nigeria and rise in Kenya, France 24 says

France 24 reported on 21 October that Ebola cases were emerging in Nigeria and rising in Kenya. Kenya has announced a second Ebola death, France 24 reported on 23 October. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control’s assessment that day recorded nine Kenyan cases and one Nigerian case and urged health services to prepare for imported infections.

Democratic Republic of Congo starts trial of Ebola vaccine Ervebo

The Democratic Republic of Congo has begun the Tumaini Ebola vaccine trial, WHO says. The trial plans to include pregnant women and children aged 12 and older and add two Bundibugyo-specific vaccine candidates to test whether they protect people at high risk of infection.

American Diabetes Association journal halts submissions amid boycott

The American Diabetes Association’s flagship journal has stopped accepting manuscripts amid a 1,100-member boycott, STAT reported on October 23. The association acknowledged that its conduct rules did not explicitly ban distributing materials inside the convention center and has given notice of further review.

Cleveland asthma patients report relief after switching to electric stoves

Cleveland participants with poorly controlled asthma reported relief after switching to electric stoves. Their questionnaire answers do not establish that the switch caused the improvements or worked better than medication; researchers propose a randomized comparison and lung-function measurements to test the benefit.

NASA revises Moon landing plans for Starship and Blue Moon

NASA has revised how Orion and its commercial landers would reach the Moon, targeting a crewed landing in 2028. NASASpaceflight reports that NASA has also directed Axiom Space to develop a lighter suit with shorter excursions and restricted terrain access. NASA plans Earth-orbit lander tests for 2027 before attempting a lunar landing.

Updated

US space agency adviser cites estimate of 22 flights to fuel a Moon lander

A NASA safety adviser’s refueling-flight estimate drew a lower forecast from SpaceX founder Elon Musk. At its 23 October briefing, NASA described a revised plan for a fueled Starship to propel Orion from Earth orbit to the Moon, ahead of refueling and landing tests planned for 2027.

NASA’s Swift observatory ends science mission after nearly 22 years

Swift’s nearly 22-year science mission has ended, removing an observatory that could turn toward cosmic explosions in about a minute. Its public archive remains available for research as NASA explores additional rapid-response observing options.

Japan launches spacecraft to bring samples back from Phobos

Japan has launched its robotic Martian Moons eXploration spacecraft, known as MMX. A new four-booster H3 configuration carried it into orbit, with a landing on Phobos and the return of samples still ahead.

Researchers link a Mars quake to a deep fault beneath Valles Marineris

Researchers identify deep fault slip as the best-fitting explanation for a quake beneath Valles Marineris. Models and orbital images favour that explanation over an impact or landslide, offering a way to investigate ancient faults without implying Earth-like plate tectonics.