An artist’s illustration of the planet WD 1856 b (right) orbiting its white dwarf host once every 1.5 days.
| Photo Credit: NASA GSFC
Planet shows a star’s death doesn’t have to doom its worlds
Using the Webb telescope, scientists have discovered an atmosphere around WD 1856 b, a Jupiter-sized planet orbiting a white dwarf — the first time an atmosphere has been found on a world orbiting a dead star. The atmosphere has hydrocarbons and clouds of aerosols. The planet was also hotter than expected, possibly due to tidal heating as the planet drifted in. The findings show planets can have a ‘life’ of their own even after their stars die.
CAR T-cell therapy ‘sees’ solid tumours thanks to protein
Researchers have developed a promising new CAR T-cell therapy for rare solid tumours, including alveolar soft-part sarcoma (ASPS) and certain kidney cancers. They found a protein, GPNMB, to be consistently expressed on these tumour cells and created a treatment called to target it. One patient with advanced ASPS saw their disease stabilise for three months while several smaller tumors disappeared, and the therapy was well-tolerated. Combining it with immune checkpoint blockers may also surmount treatment resistance.
Dogs in crowded shelters become physically, mentally ill
A Thai study found how dogs’ living conditions affect their physical and mental health. Researchers compared three shelters with different levels of space and enrichment such as toys and human interaction. Dogs in the facility that provided the most space and regular enrichment had the lowest stress hormone levels, normal metabolic profiles, and a healthy balance of gut bacteria. Dogs in the most crowded shelter with no enrichment had metabolic imbalance and less diverse gut bacteria.
Published – July 05, 2026 08:00 am IST
