Off-Earth footprint: Florida company will design shoe in space in 2026

Remember those weird, free-floating planet-like objects—nicknamed JuMBOs—that the James Webb Space Telescope spotted last year? Well, new computer simulations are throwing cold water on the excitement, suggesting they might not be real after all. Researchers now think these "rogue" objects could just be glitches in how we interpret the data, not actual Jupiter-sized oddballs drifting through space.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about debunking a cosmic mystery—it’s a reminder of how tricky space discovery can be. Even with a powerhouse like the James Webb telescope, what we think we see isn’t always what’s really out there. The study doesn’t just challenge a headline-grabbing find; it highlights the careful, often messy process of science, where theories get tested, revised, and sometimes scrapped altogether. For space nerds, it’s a fascinating peek behind the curtain of how astronomers separate cosmic fact from fiction.

The article highlights concerns about President Trump’s nominee to lead the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), given their past ties to corporate interests—specifically, their involvement in cases where UPS drivers faced dangerous heat conditions. Critics argue this raises questions about whether the nominee would prioritize worker safety over business-friendly policies.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just bureaucratic drama—it’s about whether the agency meant to protect workers will actually do its job. With extreme heat becoming a bigger threat to laborers (especially delivery drivers), who OSHA’s leader sides with—workers or corporations—could have life-or-death consequences. It’s a window into how labor protections might shift under this administration.

A boomerang carved from mammoth ivory, found in a Polish cave, was initially thought to be 18,000 years old—but it turns out that estimate was way off. New testing suggests it’s actually around 40,000 years old, making it one of the oldest known boomerangs ever discovered. The earlier dating was likely skewed by contamination from materials used to preserve the artifact.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a cool update for history buffs—it reshapes our understanding of early human ingenuity. If the boomerang really is that old, it pushes back the timeline of when humans were crafting sophisticated tools from ivory. Plus, it hints at how preservation methods can accidentally obscure the truth, reminding archaeologists to double-check their work. Who knows what else we’ve underestimated?

New research suggests that gastric bypass surgery doesn’t just help with weight loss—it might also slash the risk of bowel cancer. The key seems to be how the surgery alters bile acid flow in the gut, which could open doors for future treatments that replicate this effect without surgery.

Editor’s Note: If you’ve ever wondered whether weight-loss surgery does more than shrink waistlines, this study offers a compelling answer. Beyond helping patients shed pounds, it might also protect against a deadly cancer—and that’s a big deal. The findings could eventually lead to less invasive ways to reduce cancer risk, especially for those struggling with obesity-related health issues.

The National Institutes of Health (N.I.H.) has temporarily halted plans to cancel certain medical research grants, giving scientists a reprieve while the agency reviews its funding priorities. This pause comes after pushback from researchers who argued that abrupt cuts could derail critical studies—many of which focus on public health challenges like cancer, infectious diseases, and chronic conditions.

Editor’s Note: Research grants are the lifeblood of medical breakthroughs, so when funding gets yanked, it doesn’t just affect labs—it can slow down treatments or cures millions are waiting for. This pause suggests the N.I.H. is listening to concerns, but the bigger question is whether they’ll find a way to balance budget constraints with supporting long-term science. For now, researchers can breathe a little easier.