He solved a long-standing enigma in biomass science: Vincent Eijsink receives the 2026 Novonesis Biotechnology Prize - Novo Nordisk Fonden

October 20, 2026 - 11:30 AM Eastern TimeLocation: Barnes & Thornburg, Fifth Floor Event Hall, 11 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46204Time: 11:30AM - 1:00PM Biotechnology is becoming increasingly important to America’s economic and national security, creating new opportunities for companies across Indiana and the broader life sciences ecosystem. At this Lifeline Luncheon, leaders will introduce the VEDDER Biotechnology Accelerator and discuss how it is helping advance biotechnology and biodefense capabilities, strengthen collaboration, and create pathways for companies to engage. Panelists will explore what VEDDER means for organizations of all sizes, where opportunities for partnership and participation may exist, and how companies can position themselves to become part of this growing ecosystem. Whether your organization is already working in biotechnology or biodefense or is interested in exploring how its expertise and capabilities could contribute, this discussion will provide a practical look at VEDDER and how to get involved.

With 302 neurons, 200 of them in their heads, hermaphrodite female roundworms reveal surprising sex-specific differences in the nervous system and how these differences influence behavior, reproduction, and aging. Researchers at Northeastern University compared brain activity in male and hermaphroditic Caenorhabditis elegans, a microscopic worm widely used in biological research to understand how sex wires males and female nervous systems differently.

Artist’s concept of the new dinosaur species Invictibellatrix amberina, along with the fossil from which it was identified. The fossil had been sitting in a drawer for 100 years, until researchers pulled it out and became curious. Image via Sergey Krasovskiy and Pedro Salas/ Natural History Museum London. You deserve a daily dose of good news. For the latest in science and the night sky, subscribe to EarthSky’s free daily newsletter.

Astronomers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have captured a new view of NGC 1827, an intermediate spiral galaxy seen edge-on in the constellation Columba. This Hubble image shows the edge-on, intermediate spiral galaxy NGC 1827. Image credit: NASA / ESA / Michael Jones, California Institute of Technology / Gladys Kober, NASA / Catholic University of America.