Science News Roundup: How many ants are crawling on Earth? Scientists say 20 quadrillion; Exclusive-Saudi Arabia buys pair of SpaceX astronaut seats from Axiom -sources and more

Researchers have made the most thorough assessment to date of the global population of ants - insects that have colonized almost everywhere on the planet - and the estimated total is a mind-blowing 20 quadrillion of them, or approximately 2.5 million for every human. Exclusive-Saudi Arabia buys pair of SpaceX astronaut seats from Axiom -sources Saudi Arabia is planning to launch two astronauts to the International Space Station aboard a space capsule from Elon Musk's SpaceX, becoming the latest Gulf nation to strengthen ties with private U.S. space companies, according to three people familiar with the arrangement.

Following is a summary of current science news briefs.

How many ants are crawling on Earth? Scientists say 20 quadrillion

The world's human population is forecast to surpass 8 billion in the coming months. Compared to ants, that is a mediocre milestone. Researchers have made the most thorough assessment to date of the global population of ants - insects that have colonized almost everywhere on the planet - and the estimated total is a mind-blowing 20 quadrillion of them, or approximately 2.5 million for every human.

Exclusive-Saudi Arabia buys pair of SpaceX astronaut seats from Axiom -sources

Saudi Arabia is planning to launch two astronauts to the International Space Station aboard a space capsule from Elon Musk's SpaceX, becoming the latest Gulf nation to strengthen ties with private U.S. space companies, according to three people familiar with the arrangement. The sources, speaking anonymously to discuss the mission's crew before its formal announcement, said the deal was signed privately earlier this year with Houston's Axiom Space, which arranges and manages private missions to space on U.S. spacecraft for researchers and tourists.

Mexico declares Otomi site first ancient monument in a decade

An ancient Mexican site more than 1,000 years old has been declared the country's first archaeological zone in a decade, antiquities institute INAH announced on Tuesday, despite several years of steep budget cuts for archeological research. Cañada de la Virgen, the modern name of an ancient Otomi ceremonial center, is located near the picturesque mountain town and tourist destination of San Miguel de Allende.

Russia is likely to take part in International Space Station until 2028 -RIA

Yury Borisov, head of Russia's Roscosmos space agency, said on Wednesday that Russia is highly likely to participate in the International Space Station (ISS) project until 2028, RIA news agency reported. Russia has said it would be ready to extend a deal with the United States to share flights to the ISS beyond 2024 if the first three flights are successful.

Meet Japan's cyborg cockroach, coming to a disaster area near you

If an earthquake strikes in the not-too-distant future and survivors are trapped under tonnes of rubble, the first responders to locate them could be swarms of cyborg cockroaches.

That's a potential application of a recent breakthrough by Japanese researchers who demonstrated the ability to mount "backpacks" of solar cells and electronics on the bugs and control their motion by remote control.

Saudi Arabia launches astronaut program - state news agency

Saudi Arabia has launched an astronaut program, state news agency SPA reported on Thursday, with the first journey to space set for 2023 carrying the country's first female astronaut.

(With inputs from agencies.)