This week's science news has been full of mind-blowing astronomical observations, as well as new discoveries about the origins of Comet 3I/ATLAS.
Comet, an interstellar intruder from far beyond ours solar systemwas first spotted at the end of June. Now scientists have finally getting closer to his age and where he came from. They found that it likely originated in the far reaches of our galaxy and may even be a relic of its earliest beginnings, making it potentially billions of years older than the Sun.
Strange gravitational signal inside the Earth
In 2007 a gravitational anomaly appeared as long as the entire African continentoccurring simultaneously with a geomagnetic jerk in the Earth's gravitational field.
The strange anomaly signal and twitch lasted for about two years, but it was 18 years before they were detected in data collected by satellites studying the Earth's gravitational field.
Scientists believe the cause was a previously unknown geological process somewhere near the Earth's core, likely the result of a rapid redistribution of mass in our planet's deep mantle. However, more research is needed before scientists can understand these hidden processes and their broader implications.
Find out more news from planet Earth
—Scientists have discovered gold nanoparticles hidden in spruce needles
Little mysteries of life
Christopher Columbus was far from the first person to encounter the Americas—indeed, among the widely credited discoverers of the Western Hemisphere, he was one of the last.
So who discovered this? We answer this question this week. took us on a 23,000-year journey into humanity's prehistoric past, from Native Americans to Vikings and Polynesian explorers, long before Europeans arrived on the continent.
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AI develops new viruses
In more troubling news, we shared Scientists are developing AI that creates completely new viruses. Viruses are bacteriophages, meaning they attack bacteria, not humans. The researchers made sure that their models could not create pathogens that could infect people, animals or plants.
But if you still feel like this is the preamble to an apocalyptic film, there's a risk that it is. The scientists who made the discovery are touting it as a potential means of killing antibiotic-resistant superbugs. But research elsewhere has uncovered a number of holes and workarounds for AI models (or malicious people using them) to create potentially catastrophic diseases.
Fortunately, current restrictions mean this threat is not immediate, but humanity's ad hoc approach to regulating AI means it could happen sooner than we think.
Read more health news
—Diagnostic dilemma: brain damage gives woman lifelong bouts of joyless laughter
Also in science news this week
—Materials about “Harry Potter” brought three scientists the Nobel Prize in Chemistry
—New species of Jurassic 'sword dragon' may help solve evolutionary mystery
—Shackleton's infamous ship 'Endurance clearly had several design flaws', new analysis reveals
Science, long read
Wildfires, tornadoes, heat waves and floods: climate change is ushering in a new era of natural disasters. In our long read this week. we examined the economic costs of extreme weather conditions — with more than $100 billion in damage by June 2025 alone — and why scientists see this trend worsening.
Something for the weekend
If you're looking for something longer to read this weekend, here are some of the best book excerpts, opinion pieces, and science crosswords published this week.
—“The big one” may be even worse than COVID-19. Here's what epidemiologist Michael Osterholm says we can learn from past pandemics. [Book Excerpt]
—'The health impact is felt in real time': How the Trump administration is destroying the CDC [Opinion]
Science in motion
Have you ever wanted to fly over the surface of an alien planet? New animation released by the European Space Agency on Mars this week. allows you to do just that. A new video based on data from the Mars Express spacecraft takes viewers on a stunning flight over the desiccated Red Planet – from its channels carved by ancient waterways, over eroded islands, to a breathtaking view of a giant asteroid impact crater.
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