Carbon-offset schemes aren't prepared for forests to burn

The new HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 is turning heads with its gorgeous OLED display, packing premium features that make it a strong contender in the 2-in-1 laptop market. While it’s not perfect—some performance hiccups hold it back—it’s still an impressive machine that balances style and functionality for professionals on the go.

Editor’s Note: High-quality 2-in-1 laptops are in demand, especially for hybrid workers who need versatility without sacrificing screen quality. HP’s latest offering nails the visual experience, and if the performance quirks aren’t dealbreakers, this could be a top pick for anyone wanting a sleek, do-it-all device.

A NASA astronaut recently captured a stunning image of a rare red "sprite" in Earth's upper atmosphere, shedding light on these elusive electrical phenomena. Sprites are fleeting bursts of light that occur above thunderstorms, and studying them helps scientists better understand Transient Luminous Events (TLEs). This sighting is a win for atmospheric research, offering fresh data on a phenomenon that’s tricky to observe from the ground.

Editor’s Note: Sprites are like nature’s hidden fireworks—brief, dazzling, and hard to catch. This astronaut’s photo isn’t just eye candy; it’s a valuable puzzle piece for researchers trying to decode how these high-altitude flashes work. Plus, it’s a cool reminder that even from space, Earth still has surprises up its sleeve.

Amazon’s slashing prices on Garmin fitness trackers and running watches ahead of Prime Day, with some models dropping as low as $149—their best deals of the year so far. If you’ve been eyeing an upgrade to your workout gear, now’s the time to grab one before the official Prime Day rush.

Editor’s Note: Fitness tech can be pricey, so these early Prime Day discounts are a solid chance to snag high-end gear without the usual sticker shock. It’s also a heads-up that Amazon’s likely rolling out more deals soon, so bargain hunters should keep an eye out.

Turns out fig trees are doing more than just providing tasty fruit—they’re also quietly fighting climate change. A new discovery shows these trees absorb carbon dioxide and convert some of it into calcium carbonate, essentially turning CO₂ into stone within their wood and the soil around them. This locks away carbon for much longer than usual, keeping it out of the atmosphere.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a cool science fact—it’s a potential game-changer for how we think about natural carbon capture. If fig trees (or other plants) can reliably mineralize carbon like this, it could give us another tool to slow down climate change without relying solely on tech-heavy solutions. Plus, it’s a reminder that nature’s full of surprises we’re still figuring out.

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla hit the ground running—or rather, floating—during his first week aboard the International Space Station (ISS). His tasks included studying the resilience of Bengaluru-bred tardigrades (aka "water bears") in zero gravity, kicking off muscle degradation research, and contributing to experiments on microalgae and cognitive function. These tiny, nearly indestructible creatures could hold clues for long-term space survival.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about floating lab work—it’s a big deal for India’s growing role in space science. Studying tardigrades (which can survive extreme conditions) might help future missions protect astronauts from cosmic radiation or even aid in colonizing other planets. Plus, Shukla’s research on muscle loss and algae could improve life for astronauts on long-haul trips. Science nerds, rejoice—this is how we inch closer to the stars.