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Humans have been exploring space since 1957, when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1. At the height of the space race, government agencies conducted all space missions, but that’s no longer the case. Private space companies now launch satellites, operate entire “constellations” of privately owned satellites in orbit, shuttle NASA astronauts to and from the International Space Station — and are in the early stages of offering space tourism.

The development of the space industry is exciting from a technological and scientific standpoint. It could also make investors in space stocks a lot of money.

How fast is space exploration growing, and which space companies offer the best prospects for investors? The Motley Fool shares a detailed look at space launch statistics.

Key Points

• SpaceX leads in orbital space launches, highlighting robust growth in the space sector.
• Space stocks come in many shapes and sizes, some riskier than others.
• Investing in space-focused ETFs like ARKX could diversify exposure to rising space stocks.

How many SpaceX and other rocket launches happen in a year?

Multiple metrics are used to track space launches. Orbital space launches count spaceflights in which a craft reaches speeds permitting at least one orbit. Spacecraft launches include all vehicles passing either 50 miles’ altitude (the Federal Aviation Administration standard) or the Karman line, the international standard set at 62 miles above Earth’s surface. Total upmass, measured in kilograms, counts the payload carried into orbit on a spaceflight and excludes the mass of the vehicle that carries it.

Orbital space launches have rapidly increased:

• As recently as 2015, orbital space launches in the U.S. rarely reached even double-digits.
• This decade has seen new records set with each passing year. In all of 2014, for example, just 12 rockets were launched from U.S. spaceports — one every 30 days.
• In 2025, a rocket launched — somewhere around the world, and more often than not right here in the U.S. of A. — roughly once every 30 hours.

These launches are carrying more payload, too. Total upmass more than quintupled from 2020 to 2025, reaching 3,020.5 tons. U.S. payloads accounted for 85% of the total, with Starlink satellites launched by SpaceX making up the majority of the U.S. payloads.

The Motley Fool

Who is launching all these rockets, a

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When the flu hits, finding the right medicine quickly can make a big difference in how you feel and recover. Whether you want to ease symptoms or shorten the illness, knowing your options is key. This guide from telehealth platform Doctronic breaks down the top over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription flu medicines, so you can make informed choices and get back to feeling like yourself.

Key Takeaways

• OTC flu medicines mainly relieve symptoms like fever, congestion, and aches, but do not cure the flu.
• Prescription antiviral drugs can reduce flu duration and complications if started early.
• Combining rest, hydration, and the right medicine helps speed recovery.
• Always consult a healthcare professional if symptoms worsen or you have underlying health conditions.

How to Manage Flu Symptoms With OTC and Antiviral Medications

Understanding the role of over-the-counter (OTC) medications is crucial for managing flu symptoms effectively. While these medications can provide temporary relief, they do not address the underlying viral infection. Common OTC options include acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and aches, as well as decongestants to alleviate nasal congestion. It’s important to read labels carefully and follow dosing instructions to avoid potential side effects or interactions with other medications. Some OTC products may contain multiple active ingredients, which can inadvertently lead to an overdose if combined with other medications.

The importance of early intervention with prescription antiviral medications cannot be overstated. Drugs such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) are designed to inhibit the flu virus’s ability to replicate, thereby shortening the duration of illness and mitigating severe complications, especially in high-risk populations.

Understanding Flu Medicine: What Works and What Doesn’t

OTC Medicines: Symptom Relief at Your Fingertips

Over-the-counter flu medicines are designed to manage symptoms, not to eliminate the virus itself. These include pain relievers, decongestants, cough suppressants, and antihistamines. They provide comfort by reducing fever, easing body aches, and clearing nasal congestion.

Prescription Antivirals: Targeting the Flu Virus

Unlike OTC options, prescription antiviral drugs work by attacking the flu virus directly. When taken within the first 48 hours of symptoms, they can shorten the illness by one to two days and reduce the risk of serious complications. These medications require a doctor’s prescription.

5 Popular Over-the-Counter Flu Medicines

1. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Acetaminophen is a go-to for reducing fever and relieving aches. It’s gentle on the stomach and safe for most people when taken as directed. Avoid combining it with other acetaminophen-containing products to prevent overdose.

2. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)

Ibuprofen also reduces fever and inflammation. It may be preferred if you experience muscl

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Fewer Americans are making New Year’s resolutions, according to recent surveys showing a steady decline in the aspirational custom — with 44% of Americans making one back in 2022 (down from 50% the previous year), according to Medifast surveys, and 37% for 2023 compared to 31% for 2026, according to YouGov polls. And is it any wonder? Trotting out all the cliched, overly optimistic objectives like “get in shape” or “read more” (who has the time?), or “save money” (in this economy?), or “be a nicer person” (how’s that workin’ out for ya?), we may as well resolve to rub a genie out of a lamp to grant us three wishes … and then use our first wish to wish for more wishes.

But making a New Year’s resolution to start keeping up with basic home maintenance tasks you’ve been neglecting partially or entirely for as long as you can remember? Now, that’s a self-improvement promise you’re capable of keeping — and it could even help you with at least one of those other resolutions (saving money).

Whether you’re ringing in the new year or just trying to make it through the current one, HomeServe has rounded up a post-holiday to-do list of home maintenance tasks that will improve your home life.

Here are seven ways you can resolve to take better care of your home in the new year.

1. Change Your HVAC Filter

Changing out the filter in your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is one of the simplest, yet most vital, home maintenance tasks you can do. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most neglected. When you replace the filter regularly — every three months, at least — you can reduce your energy bills, improve air quality and extend the life of your HVAC unit. Check this one off the list, and you’ll literally be breathing easier in the new year.

2. Drain Your Water Heater

You’ll be shocked — and probably more than a little grossed out — when you see the filth that flows out of your water heater when you drain it, especially if you’ve neglected it for far too long. That’s because silt, sediment and other stuff build up over time and settle in your water heater. Draining and flushing it regularly (once a year is generally advisable) will not only improve the efficiency of your system but extend the life of this vital household appliance, saving you money in the long run and helping prevent an outage when you least expect it — like when you have a house full of holiday houseguests, a sink full of dirty dishes, a hamper full of used towels and no hot water for showers.

3. Clean Your Refrigerator Coils

When’s the last time you cleaned your fridge coils? L

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After more than a decade without major breakthroughs in anxiety medication, several promising treatments are now moving through clinical trials. These investigational options use new delivery systems, novel mechanisms or compounds different from traditional selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines. If approved, LifeStance Health highlights that they may change how clinicians approach conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder and anxiety that occurs alongside depression.

Below is a look at several anxiety-related medications expected to reach important trial milestones or potential FDA consideration in 2026.

MM120: A breakthrough approach using psychedelic science

MM120 is an investigational treatment being developed by MindMed for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). It uses a small, precisely controlled dose of a psychedelic compound (a form of LSD) that dissolves on the tongue.

In a Phase 2 study, participants reported improvement in anxiety symptoms after a single dose, with potential benefits observed for up to 12 weeks.

MM120 is now in Phase 3 of clinical trials, which are evaluating its effectiveness and safety. Researchers conducting these trials are measuring changes in anxiety symptoms over 12 weeks and following participants for up to one year to assess long-term outcomes.

If successful, MM120 may become the first psychedelic-derived treatment the FDA has approved for GAD, offering a potentially fast-acting and long-lasting option for individuals who have not had success with existing treatments.

GlyphAllo: A novel pathway for depression with anxious distress

Seaport Therapeutics is developing Glyph Allopregnanolone (GlyphAllo) to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), including depression that occurs with significant anxiety symptoms.

The body naturally produces allopregnanolone, a hormone-like substance that helps the brain manage stress and regulate mood. Historically, allopregnanolone has only been available as an intravenous (IV) injection because the body does not absorb it well when taken orally.

GlyphAllo is designed to improve oral absorption so that more of the medication reaches the brain. It remains in clinical trials, and researchers are studying whether GlyphAllo may provide a new treatment option for depression with anxious distress.

Fasedienol: A nasal spray for social anxiety disorder

Meanwhile, Vistage

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Teens with depression have to navigate the challenges of living with a mood disorder, along with the usual academic and social pressures of high school. A depression diagnosis may be unsettling, but there are several different ways to treat depression in teens — including some that are low-risk and highly effective. Being the parent or loved one of a teen with depression has its own challenges — help and resources are available for you, too.

Depression can affect people of any age — including teens. In fact, the National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 5 million, or 20.1%, of adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the United States have had at least one major depressive episode. Yet despite depression in teenagers being quite prevalent, only 40.6% of teens with a major depressive episode receive treatment for the mental health condition.

If you’re looking for a clear, comprehensive, and compassionate guide to treatments for teen depression, you’ve come to the right place. Radial explores what works, what to expect, and how families can help.

What is teen depression?

Depression in teens is a serious mood disorder that causes ongoing feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness and a loss of interest in things someone used to enjoy. While it’s normal to be sad for a few days, depression can last for months or years.

Teen depression statistics vary, but globally, it’s estimated that 1.3% of adolescents aged 10–14 years, and 3.4% of 15–19-year-olds are currently experiencing a serious depression, according to the World Health Organization. “In any given year, a teen is more likely to have disabling depression than catching the flu,” says Eugene Grudnikoff, MD, a child and adolescent psychiatrist practicing in New York.

Radial

Symptoms of teen depression

Teens with depression have one or more of these symptoms most of the time:

• Sadness
• Feeling of emptiness
• Hopelessness
• Being angry, irritable, or fr