Astronomers have observed a distant star being torn apart by a supermassive black hole, revealing a surprising wobble in the resulting disc and jets. This phenomenon, matching Einstein's century-old prediction of 'frame dragging,' provides compelling evidence that spinning black holes twist spacetime itself, influencing cosmic events and refining our understanding of galactic evolution.

Yellowstone's volcanic past reveals a dynamic system of repeated caldera-forming eruptions and smaller lava flows, with magma reservoirs assembling and erupting on geologically brief timescales. Beneath the surface, a crystal-rich mush stores melt, capable of rapid renewal. This ancient activity also records Earth's magnetic history, offering crucial global chronological data.

Astronomers have discovered 3I/ATLAS, a fast-moving interstellar object detected in mid-2025. Researchers believe this ancient comet, potentially 8-14 billion years old, originated from the Milky Way's earliest era, predating our Sun. Its unique chemical composition, including iron and nickel, further supports its alien origins, offering a rare glimpse into material forged around ancient stars.

In space, tears don't fall due to the absence of gravity. Instead, surface tension causes them to cling to the eye, creating a physical sensation and potential vision blur. Astronauts manage these tears with absorbent cloths, a process vital for understanding human physiology in microgravity and for future long-duration missions.

Pearls begin as irritants within oysters, which respond by slowly covering the foreign object with layers of nacre. This controlled biological process, influenced by environmental factors and diet, transforms discomfort into a stable, beautiful structure. Cultured pearls follow the same natural oyster response, with quality determined by nacre thickness and lustre, not just size.

Albert Einstein encountered a curious math puzzle involving an old car on a hill. The problem, seemingly simple, highlighted how intuition can be misleading. It demonstrated that faster speeds do not always compensate for slower ones and that averages can obscure critical limitations. This thought experiment, shared through correspondence, underscored the importance of careful examination even of basic questions.

Evidence of a past Martian ice age has been revealed in Coloe Fossae, where long, shallow grooves suggest ice once flowed across the landscape. These features, formed by slow-moving mixtures of ice and rock, indicate glaciers spread into mid-latitudes, offering a glimpse into Mars's icy history as recently as half a million years ago.

Astronomers have directly observed a free-floating planet, comparable in mass to Earth, roaming the Milky Way. Discovered via gravitational microlensing due to its brief light curve, this rogue world is not bound to any star. Its motion suggests ejection from a planetary system, hinting at a potentially vast population of such solitary planets.

AI's rapid rise hides a massive thirst for water and energy. Training complex models like ChatGPT demands immense power, leading to significant water consumption for cooling data centers. Experts propose solutions like efficient cooling, smaller models, and renewable energy to mitigate AI's growing environmental footprint.

Scientists are exploring fungi, specifically mushrooms, to create more efficient and adaptable computers. Unlike rigid silicon machines, fungal networks like mycelium exhibit learning-like behavior by adjusting signal pathways. This biological approach offers a potentially cheaper and more resilient alternative to current complex and costly neuromorphic hardware, hinting at a novel direction for future computing.

Mice are indispensable in biomedical research due to their genetic and anatomical similarities to humans, short lifespans, and rapid reproduction. They have been crucial in developing treatments for cancers, vaccines for pandemics like COVID-19, and understanding neurodegenerative disorders. Ethical guidelines ensure responsible use, with advancements like CRISPR enhancing accuracy and reducing animal numbers.

Scientists are baffled by solid gold particles found in Norway spruce needles. Previously thought impossible, this discovery reveals a partnership between trees and specific bacteria. These microbes, not the trees, are believed to convert dissolved gold ions into solid nanoparticles, a process crucial for understanding mineral deposits and potentially cleaning polluted environments.

Jupiter will be exceptionally bright and large in the night sky this January, peaking around January 10, 2026, during Earth's opposition. This celestial event, occurring roughly every 13 months, makes the planet easily visible to the naked eye, even offering glimpses of its moons with binoculars.