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Science news this week: Artemis II lifts off, diabetes cured in mice, and smog in China shapes Arctic stormsApril 4, 2026: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend.
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Chinese satellite with robotic 'octopus arm' passes key refueling test in orbit — making longer-lived space assets more likelyThe experimental Hukeda-2 satellite and its highly flexible robotic arm have passed a major refuelling test in low Earth orbit. The demonstration is the latest step toward China significantly expanding the longevity of its spacecraft.
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China's huge push to reduce air pollution had an unexpected consequence in the ArcticChina's cuts to aerosol emissions reduced sea ice loss, but it may have revealed a bigger story about climate change.
5 Commentsclimate-change -
Chinese lander reveals giant 'cavity' of radiation between Earth and the moon — and it could change how lunar exploration is doneA new study using data from China's Chang'e-4 moon lander found an area of reduced radiation from cosmic rays near the moon. The findings could be used to improve the safety of lunar explorations.
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Critically endangered hare spotted in surprising location for the first time in 40 years — but it was already deadScientists in China have announced the first confirmed sighting of the critically endangered Hainan hare in part of its native range in four decades, after spotting its completely flattened carcass on a roadside.
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Artemis II: NASA is preparing for a return to the moon, but why is it going back?NASA's Artemis II mission is sending humans back to the moon for the first time since the Apollo era. Here are the reasons why the U.S. wants to return.
8 Commentsspace-exploration -
Meet Sky Dragon, the giant 10-person 'flying taxi' that just passed its first flight test in ChinaChina's massive Sky Dragon and Matrix aircraft are suitable for up to 10 passengers, or more than one ton of cargo.
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Chinese EV maker claims it's engineered the world’s first semi-solid-state EV battery with huge 620-mile rangeThe experimental manufacturing process could one day deliver a vehicle with a 1,000-plus mile range, researchers say.
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Climate disasters caused societal upheaval 3,000 years ago in China, study of 'oracle bones' hintsSome civilizations in inland China underwent dramatic changes and population drops 3,000 years ago. Now, researchers are using oracle bones, archaeological evidence and climate modeling to find out why.
2 Commentsancient-china
