Today's Space & Astronomy news features discoveries in ancient marine life, challenges to space exploration protocols, and advances in gene therapy and dark sky research.

Scientists have identified a hardy fungus species that can survive extreme radiation and heat in simulated Martian soil, potentially posing contamination risks to NASA's Mars exploration protocols and challenging efforts to keep the red planet pristine.

Researchers made a breakthrough in solving volcanic lightning mysteries, discovering that fine carbon coating on silica particles in volcanic updrafts causes electrical charges that create spectacular lightning displays during eruptions.

A new gene therapy has become the first FDA-approved treatment enabling children with a rare form of genetic deafness to hear, marking a significant milestone in genetic medicine with parents reporting their deaf-born children can now hear.

The Big Bend region of West Texas has become a unique portal to studying the early universe, leveraging the world's largest dark-sky reserve to observe dark energy and conduct cutting-edge astronomical research.

Scientists discovered evidence that Neanderthals hunted elephants through careful planning and teamwork, based on analysis of a pachyderm skeleton previously dismissed as unimportant that shows signs of calculated killing strategies.

A mysterious golden blob retrieved from the deep ocean near Alaska in 2023 has been identified as part of a species of anemone, solving a long-standing puzzle about unusual deep-sea creatures.

NASA has documented a surge in meteor sightings in recent months, but meteor experts and NASA cannot yet agree on what is causing the increased frequency of fireballs in Earth's atmosphere.

Fossil analysis reveals that giant 'kraken-like' octopuses existed 100 million years ago with powerful beaks capable of crunching through bone, with some ancient species reaching up to 19 metres in length.

The pace of NIH funding has slowed further during Trump's second year, with the agency approving far fewer new grants than in previous years due to screening for disfavored terms and personnel losses.