NASA's Perseverance rover uses a new Mars Global Localization algorithm to locate itself on Mars autonomously to about 10 inches (25 cm); the capability was first used in routine operations on Feb. 2 and again on Feb. 16.
Sysco is launching a Home Grown by Sysco pilot on Feb. 24 that will identify about 10,000 locally sourced products in three U.S. regions and two Canadian sites, and the company plans to expand the program across the United States within 12 months.
NASA reports that six planets — Mercury, Venus, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus and Jupiter — form a visible alignment most clearly shortly after sunset on Feb. 28, though Uranus and Neptune generally require optical aids and some planets will sit low near the horizon.
Strong winds drove the Ranger Road wildfire across the Oklahoma Panhandle into southwest Kansas, burning about 145,000 acres and injuring multiple firefighters; evacuations were ordered in several communities.
Researchers reported hundreds of new Asgard microbes and filmed live Asgard cells crawling, offering genetic and behavioral clues to how complex eukaryotic cells evolved.
Rafael Devers is in his first spring training with the San Francisco Giants and said Boston is in the past; he is slated as the team's primary first baseman and has shown power during workouts.
Lexicon Bank announced that Zach Balmer was named one of four Coleman SBA Business Development Officers of the Year in recognition of his SBA lending and business development work; he will be honored at the Coleman awards ceremony on March 19 in Miami.
The Dog Aging Project has enrolled over 50,000 dogs to collect health, lifestyle and genomic data, and researchers are testing low-dose rapamycin to study effects on cellular aging.
A late-stage trial of 274 patients reported that 27.1% receiving Taltz plus Zepbound achieved complete skin clearance and at least 10% weight loss at 36 weeks, compared with 5.8% on Taltz alone.
The FDA will advance its review of Moderna’s previously rejected flu vaccine after the company met with regulators and amended its application. Moderna proposes full approval for ages 50–64 and accelerated approval for those 65 and older with a required additional study in older adults.
