Space science expanded from lunar return to distant worlds

Space science was the week's broadest frontier, spanning lunar suit readiness, quantum experiments in orbit, a possible black-hole disruption, and unusually diffuse exoplanets. Earth-hazard research also moved from observing events to refining how ruptures, waves, and linked shocks behave.

Evidence from Neanderthal genomes and deep Moroccan rocks extended the study of life across both human evolution and sunless environments. Across biology, researchers linked molecular and cellular mechanisms to possible advances in cholesterol treatment, brain organization, anesthesia monitoring, and saline agriculture.