Short-form video wasn’t supposed to become our generation’s Matrix, yet here we are, scrolling ourselves into a new cognitive baseline. Drawing on Feeds, Feelings and Focus, a meta-analysis of 71 studies and nearly 100,000 people, this piece maps how TikTok, Reels and Shorts quietly retrain the mind. Attention thins, emotions accelerate, adults prove no more resilient than teenagers, autonomy erodes in micro-increments, and identity becomes whatever narrative the algorithm reflects back. No machines, no pods, no cables — just a device we willingly consult. The dreamworld didn’t need to trap us. We walked in, thumb first, without noticing the door.

Satellite megaconstellations are increasingly impacting astronomical observations. Bright satellite streaks are compromising ground and space-based telescope images, while radio telescopes struggle with growing orbital radio noise. This crowded orbit challenges future missions and affects long-term research by increasing light scatter and debris, necessitating new strategies to preserve sky clarity for scientific discovery.

ESA's Juice spacecraft has captured striking new images of Comet 3I/ATLAS, revealing its active coma and distinct plasma and dust tails. While originally designed for Jupiter, Juice's navigation camera provided an early glimpse of the comet's activity. Full scientific data, gathered by five specialized instruments, is expected in February 2026, promising deeper insights into this interstellar visitor.

New research reveals ancient humans in southern Africa lived in isolation for nearly 100,000 years. This led to unique genetic traits not seen in modern populations. These findings show human evolution was complex, involving multiple isolated groups. The study analyzed genomes from 28 ancient individuals, offering insights into early human diversity and adaptation.

Mars Express has found a unique butterfly-shaped crater on Mars. This formation resulted from a space rock hitting at a low angle. The impact ejected debris in two lobes, creating wing-like structures. Scientists believe subsurface ice or water may have been involved. The area also shows signs of ancient volcanic activity.

The James Webb Space Telescope has discovered Alaknanda, a remarkably mature spiral galaxy existing just 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang. This well-organized structure, complete with a disc and arms, challenges existing theories about early cosmic evolution. Its existence suggests galactic formation may have been more efficient and rapid than previously believed, prompting a re-evaluation of cosmic timelines.

A tiny bacterium, Tersicoccus phoenicis, is changing how scientists view cleanliness in secure areas. This microbe survives by entering a dormant state, evading detection by normal tests. This discovery impacts space missions and industries on Earth. New methods are needed to ensure true sterility. This organism's resilience is a significant finding.

A groundbreaking genetic study confirms modern humans arrived in Australia approximately 60,000 years ago, settling a long-standing archaeological debate. Researchers analyzed thousands of genomes, revealing two distinct migration routes into the ancient continent of Sahul. This deep history aligns with Aboriginal oral traditions, showcasing advanced seafaring skills of early ancestors.

Scientists at the University of British Columbia Okanagan say they’ve found a mathematical limit that shuts down the Simulation Hypothesis entirely. Drawing on Gödel’s incompleteness theorem, their study argues that parts of reality cannot be generated by any algorithm, which means no computer, however advanced, could ever build a universe like ours. The obstacle isn’t processing power. It’s logic itself.

A powerful 2025 Kuril-Kamchatka earthquake generated a Pacific-wide tsunami, captured by NASA's SWOT satellite. These unprecedented high-resolution images reveal complex, braided wave patterns, challenging the assumption that large tsunamis travel as non-dispersive waves. This discovery offers crucial new insights into mid-ocean energy distribution, promising to significantly improve future tsunami forecasting and hazard assessments.

NASA's Perseverance rover has unveiled a captivating phenomenon: tiny electrical sparks, likened to 'mini-lightning', occurring within the Martian dust devils and storms. This crucial discovery not only validates a longstanding scientific hypothesis but also has the potential to revolutionize our comprehension of the Red Planet's atmospheric features and habitability.

The Geminids meteor shower, a consistent and bright celestial event, is set for a spectacular display in 2025. With minimal moonlight during its peak on December 13-14, stargazers can anticipate 60-120 meteors per hour. This unique shower, originating from asteroid 3200 Phaethon, offers a prime opportunity for unforgettable cosmic viewing.

Anacondas reached their enormous size about 12.4 million years ago and, unlike most other Miocene giants, have barely changed since. Fossils from Venezuela reveal that early anacondas were already as large as modern ones, defying climate cooling, habitat loss and new predators. Their enduring gigantism hints at remarkable resilience and ecological adaptability that future research now aims to explain.

Bennu asteroid samples returned by NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission reveal life's building blocks, including sugars like ribose and glucose. Scientists also found a unique nitrogen-rich polymer, offering clues to early life's chemical origins. The asteroid's high concentration of supernova dust sheds light on its formation environment and the distribution of presolar materials in our early solar system.

India and Russia are poised to significantly boost space collaboration, with Roscosmos hinting at a major announcement soon. Discussions are reportedly covering engine development, crewed missions, and orbital stations, emphasising mutual benefit over technology transfer. President Putin's visit aims to elevate ties across various sectors, including energy and industry, to a new qualitative level.

Bengaluru-based Biomoneta has achieved a significant first, becoming the inaugural Indian healthtech firm to secure US-FDA 510(k) Class II clearance for its innovative medical air-cleaning device. This breakthrough, powered by their unique ZeBox technology, promises to revolutionize hospital infection control by effectively eliminating airborne pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, paving the way for its deployment in US healthcare facilities.

Stunning concentric rings in Libya's Sahara Desert, Jabal Arkanū, were formed by ancient volcanic activity and millions of years of erosion, not meteorite impacts. Captured from the International Space Station, these formations reveal Earth's internal dynamics and the remarkable persistence of geological structures in extreme arid climates, offering a unique window into our planet's history.

New research has confirmed that a vast ring of Neolithic pits, more than a mile wide and over 4,000 years old, was deliberately engineered near Stonehenge, not formed by nature. Using cutting-edge dating and soil-analysis techniques, researchers argue it reflects an ancient belief system inscribed into the land itself. The discovery suggests Stonehenge’s builders shaped not only monuments of stone, but also monuments of earth.