China’s orbital outpost Tiangong was completed in 2022 and is hosting up to three astronauts at a time, reports CNN.

But meanwhile U.S. lawmakers are now signaling there’s not time to develop and launch a replacement for the International Space Station — considered the signal most expensive object ever built — before its deorbiting in 2030. A recent Senate bill calls for the U.S. to continue funding it as late as 2032, but that bill still awaits approval from the U.S. Senate and the House.

But some private space companies are already building their alternatives:

Private companies that are in the early design and mockup phase of developing these space stations are still waiting on NASA for guidance — and money… [NASA’s “Requests for Proposals”] were delayed, in part because it took all of 2025 to cinch a confirmation for Trump’s on-again-off-again pick for NASA administrator, Jared Isaacman [confirmed in December]… Similarly, 2025 saw a 45-day government shutdown, the longest in history — adding another hiccup in the space agency’s plans to begin formally soliciting proposals from the private sector. Companies now expect that NASA will issue its Request for Proposals in late March or early April, one CEO told CNN…

Several commercial outfits have recently announced big funding influxes aimed at speeding up the development and launch of new orbiting outposts. Houston-based Axiom Space announced a $350 million funding round last month. Its California-based competitor Vast then notched a $500 million raise in early March. Vast is determined to launch a bare-bones station to orbit as soon as possible, with or without federal input, according to the company. “Our approach is to actually not wait for (NASA) and get going and build a minimum viable product, single-module space station called Haven-1, which we’re launching into orbit next year,” Vast CEO Max Haot told CNN in a phone interview earlier this month. Similarly, Axiom Space is working toward a 2028 launch date for a module that it plans to initially attach to the ISS before breaking off to orbit on its own. A spokesperson told CNN that it the company is “committed” to winning the NASA contract money and may continue pursing such goals even without contract awards.

Still, there’s lingering doubt that any of the companies pursuing space stations will be able to stay afloat without securing a coveted NASA contract or at least cinching significant business from the public sector.
The article includes “Another complicating fact: Russia, the United States’ primary partner on the ISS, has not pledged to keep operating its half of the space station past 2028.” NASA will eventually evaluate proposals for an ISS alternative from Vast, Axiom Space, Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, Max Space and several competitors including Voyager Technologies, CNN notes, ultimately handing out an estimated $1.5 billion in contracts between 2026 and 2031.

And while those companies may wait decades before a return on their investment, the article includes this quotes from the cofounder/general partner of Balerion Space Ventures, which led the fundraising for Vast. ” What’s obvious to us is you’re going to have multiple vehicles with myriad companies go into space. You’re going to have vehicles leaving from celestial bodies, like the moon. And we need a habitat.”

Vivo has finally locked in a launch date for its next big camera phone.

The Vivo X300 Ultra is expected to be the brand’s top-tier photography flagship, and it’ll officially make its debut on March 30 in China. It will launch alongside a second device, the Vivo X300s.

The announcement comes after weeks of teasers and a brief appearance at MWC 2026. However, this time Vivo is also giving us a clearer look at the design. In a post shared on Weibo, product manager Han Boxiao revealed both phones in a new ‘Film Green’ colour. They feature a two-tone finish that leans into the Ultra’s camera-first identity.

The best protein bars are grab-and-go snacks, not meal replacements. They’re most helpful when whole foods aren’t available or when your schedule won’t allow for a proper meal. The most beneficial sources of protein come with fiber, healthy fats, and other nutrients. (That’s why registered dietitians recommend whole foods over ultra-processed alternatives.) So, while high-protein snacks may boast impressive counts on the label, they’re not always the healthiest option.

After consulting the nutrition experts about key ingredients to look for (and what to avoid), we’ve rounded up the best protein bars that meet those standards. For more tips on protein, check out our guide to the Best Protein Powders and How Much Protein Do I Need?

Updated March 2026: I added Aloha Organic Protein Bars, Promix Protein Puff Bars, and Mush Protein Bars as new picks. I added an Honorable Mentions section with more protein bars to consider, as well as a FAQ section that includes a note about David Protein Bars. Lastly, I’ve included my testing process and updated existing picks with new information, prices, and links.

Best Protein Bars Overall

RxBar now offers a couple of different protein bars, but the Classic 12G remains the best. Made from whole foods, the base is a mix of egg whites—a complete protein—dates for sweetness and binding, and nuts (pecans, hazelnuts, cashews, walnuts, peanuts, almonds). I’ve taste-tested the chocolate sea salt, but RxBar also sells blueberry, peanut butter, peanut butter chocolate, vanilla almond, coconut chocolate, and strawberry. It has a sticky, uber-chewy texture, so if that’s not your taste, there’s a nut butter & oat variety pack that swaps the dates for rolled oats. These may also be a better option if you follow a keto diet or are concerned about the sugar from dates, but keep in mind that nut butters still contain sugar, and protein content varies by flavor, so check the nutrition label.

Avoid these if you’re allergic to eggs. The formula is otherwise simple and clean, with the exception of “natural flavors.” RxBar has shared more information on what those entail, which is more clarity than most companies offer, but it may still be a concern if you prioritize full transparency.

TL;DR: RxBars is one of the cleanest protein bars available, with a short ingredient list and balanced macros. There are several variations to choose from, but avoid them entirely if you have an egg allergy. 7.25/10.

Best Plant-Based Protein Bars

Aloha Protein Bars are a standout vegan option, offering 14 grams of protein from brown rice and pumpkin seed blends. They also deliver between 6 and 10 grams of fiber, depending on the flavor, so some bars (like the cookies and creme) are as much a fiber boost as a protein snack. They’re free from soy, dairy, gluten, stevia, and sugar alcohols. Their sweetness comes from monk fruit, tapioca syrup, and rice syrup powder. While mostly clean, they do contain natural flavors, which seem to be the only processed outlier.

from the no-shit dept

With RFK Jr. and his version of HHS entirely out to lunch on the ongoing measles issue in America, it’s been left to states and local medical professionals to try to figure out how to do combat with one of the most infectious diseases on the planet. In a sane world with a real, big boy executive branch, HHS would be taking the lead on this sort of thing. Since Kennedy’s eugenics-lite belief system promotes a “survival of the fittest” mentality instead, we get to examine how different states and local governments react to measles outbreaks. South Carolina, for instance, appears to be largely uninterested at the governmental level in doing anything at all about the failure in data-sharing, case-reporting, and combating the bullshit religious exemptions to vaccinations that led to a loss of herd immunity to begin with.

New Mexico, which suffered its own measles outbreak last year, went the opposite route. And when you compare that state’s response specifically to Texas’, as they were both part of the same outbreak, the lessons learned are even more instructive.

Texas declared the outbreak within its borders over on August 18, with an end tally of 762 cases. In New Mexico, officials declared its outbreak, which began in February, over on September 26, with a total of just 99 cases.

One of the key differences, according to a new study, was that in New Mexico, the rapid spread of the highly infectious virus spurred a massive surge in measles vaccinations among children and adults. Overall, shots of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine increased 55 percent statewide from January to September compared to the same period in 2024.

This is all based on a recent CDC study. I simply must point out that it’s quite interesting to see this uptick in vaccinations. It’s what I’ve advocated for, of course, but it certainly calls into question the reasoning for having not vaccinated before the reports of the outbreak. If these were more religious exemptions, did people suddenly become less religious? If it was fear of all the nonsense dangers RFK Jr. warns about with the MMR vaccines that kept them from vaccinating before, are they suddenly less afraid now? Or was all of that performative excuse making for people not wanting to get a simple shot in their arm?

Regardless, it was a coordinated effort by New Mexico government groups and local doctors to be transparent about the outbreak, its dangers, and mobilize for mass vaccinations.

In the MMWR report, officials explained that they had a data-driven response effort that assessed local vaccination coverage and real-time vaccine inventories and targeted mobile vaccination delivery. They went all out on communication, releasing 12 health advisories to clinicians, 26 press releases to the public, and 184 social media posts. They also launched a regularly updated measles outbreak data page with information in English and Spanish. Finally, they set up a measles helpline, which got over 2,000 calls during the outbreak. The officials noted that their response to the outbreak was built on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In all, “the strategies implemented in New Mexico could serve as a model for other states that are addressing measles cases or outbreaks,” they concluded.

Or, gee, I don’t know, how about it being a model for the federal fucking agency with a charter that centers on keeping Americans healthy and combating infectious diseases? Why is this left to the states to figure out? States can be laboratories for democracy all we like, but infectious diseases don’t respect state borders.

Instead of spending time licking his wounds from his recent losses in federal court, it sure would be nice if Kennedy could spend that time actually getting involved in combating measles, a disease that could only be resurrected thanks to the misinformation he spewed for decades.

Filed Under: cdc, health & human services, measles, new mexico, outbreaks, rfk jr., texas, vaccines

Test footage shows the Omo-X electric scooter remaining as stable as a rock on a seesaw despite the platform heaving beneath it, but only because no one is on board. This is all down to the control moment gyroscope, which was adapted from satellites / spacecraft and spins as fast as lightning to counteract any tilt.

As the camera and sensors provide data to the processor, the gyroscope fine-tunes in real time, keeping the item upright even in slow-moving traffic. It also becomes more intelligent as it learns the roads you use the most frequently via cloud links and responds to variations in weight or surface.

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Riders sit on a floating seat just above a large rear wheel, with angular bodywork extending all along the sides and LED strips lighting the path, including the unique saberlight strip along the front. The front end is entirely influenced by spacecraft shapes, giving it a sharp, forward-leaning appearance that allows it to glide through the air effortlessly. Then there are the panels to swap out, with three options: a simple step-through scooter, a street model, and a touring arrangement ready to carry bags.

They must have done something right with the Omo-X, as it received an iF Design Award for 2026, which is not bad for a design like this. A large 10.25-inch screen in the center of the cockpit displays all sorts of important information, such as navigation, local charging stations, and more, eliminating the need to park your phone. This is only the beginning, for connectivity runs deep here, as you have your digital key for unlocking the phone. It can even speak with other vehicles on the road, enabling group rides and shared routes. Then there’s the app for remote monitoring and control.

Safety kicks in immediately and smoothly. The Omo-X provides 360-degree vision thanks to many cameras; there are no blind spots, and threats are visible. If the rider takes their eyes off the road for an extended period of time, the brakes are activated to bring the vehicle to a halt. Wet roads and tight curves need a little more support to avoid slipping. All of this takes a fraction of a second. Adaptive cruise control keeps up with traffic flow, one-touch parking holds position on demand, and a summon option brings the item to you without requiring you to jump on.

Performance data is finally available, with a top speed of more than 68 mph and a proven range of 125 miles on a single charge. We don’t know all the details on the battery and engine yet, as that will have to wait until the official reveal. According to early estimates, the price will be roughly $3,800, which is reasonable given that it is electric. Pre-orders begin in Indonesia at the end of April, with a public debut scheduled for late May, with intentions to expand to other countries following that.
[Source]