CDC Vaccine Review Sparks Controversy Over Thimerosal Study Citation 
Neuralink Plans High-Volume Brain Implant Production and Fully Automated Surgery by 2026 
Trump Signs Executive Order to Boost AI Research in Childhood Cancer 
SpaceX Starship Explodes in Texas During Test, Citing Nitrogen Tank Failure 
Is space worth the cost? Accounting experts say its value can’t be found in spreadsheets 
FDA Pilot Program Eases Rules for Nicotine Pouch Makers 
Jared Isaacman Confirmed as NASA Administrator, Becomes 15th Leader of U.S. Space Agency 
SpaceX’s Starship Completes 11th Test Flight, Paving Way for Moon and Mars Missions 
Cogent Biosciences Soars 120% on Breakthrough Phase 3 Results for Bezuclastinib in GIST Treatment 
Tabletop particle accelerator could transform medicine and materials science 
Ancient Mars may have had a carbon cycle − a new study suggests the red planet may have once been warmer, wetter and more favorable for life 
Astronomers have discovered another puzzling interstellar object − this third one is big, bright and fast 
Decades ago, it was speculated that the last 20 years would see flying cars and highly-advanced technology that could only be seen in science fiction. However, it appears that the world is a step closer to making the former happen, as space agency NASA announced that they would be taking part in what is known as the Urban Air Mobility Challenge.
NASA released an announcement that the agency will be partnering with some companies to help revolutionize transportation in urban environments. This will be called the Urban Air Mobility Grand Challenge, and when this has fully come to fruition, the Urban Air Mobility System will then allow air transit for drone delivery, flying taxis, and air medical services to the more rural communities. NASA hopes that this initiative will bring the companies involved in a united front to develop a new kind of transportation or airspace management technology.
Associate administrator for aeronautics Robert Pearce said, “With this step, we’re continuing to put the pieces together that we hope will soon make real the long-anticipated vision of smaller piloted and unpiloted vehicles providing a variety of services around cities and in rural areas.”
Pearce also added that the agency’s partnership with the FAA will determine how successful and safe the outcomes that can be expected from this challenge in the next few years. There will be technological tests that will take place this year, culminating in the official competition in 2022. Partnerships for the Grand Challenge will be divided into three categories: Developmental Flight Testing, Developmental Airspace Simulation, and the Vehicle Provider Information Exchange.
Aside from this exciting partnership and challenge, NASA has also announced that it will reveal the name of the new Mars 2020 Rover on Thursday, the 5th of March. This is the result of the naming contest the agency held in 2019, where students all over the United States submitted thousands of essays explaining why they should be picked to name the new 2020 rover for the upcoming Mars mission.
The conference that will follow the naming event will reveal how the name was chosen as well as more details regarding the Mars mission.
