SpaceX launches historic private Axiom-4 astronaut mission to the ISS

A mysterious volcanic island popped up in the Caspian Sea near Azerbaijan, only to vanish almost as quickly as it appeared. Satellite images captured over two years show the fleeting landmass—dubbed a "ghost island"—forming after an underwater eruption and then eroding away into the sea. It's a rare, almost poetic reminder of how dynamic our planet can be.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a quirky natural event—it’s a snapshot of Earth’s restless geology in action. While these short-lived islands aren’t uncommon near volcanic hotspots, seeing one form and disappear so clearly from space is a striking visual lesson in how temporary some landscapes really are. For scientists, it’s also a chance to study how underwater eruptions shape (and unshape) our world. For the rest of us? A cool reminder that the ground beneath our feet isn’t always as solid as it seems.

Back in 1985, the fierce rivalry between Coca-Cola and Pepsi took a wild turn—straight into space. NASA, the Reagan administration, and astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle found themselves caught in the middle of a zero-gravity marketing stunt, as both soda giants battled to become the first official space cola.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a quirky footnote in soda history—it’s a reminder of how far companies will go to one-up each other, even if it means launching their products into orbit. It also highlights the strange, sometimes amusing ways private industry and government have collided in the name of branding. Who knew space could be the next frontier for corporate sponsorships?

Betelgeuse, that famously unstable red giant in Orion, isn’t just a ticking time bomb—it’s got a companion star, and when it finally goes supernova, it’s taking its cosmic neighbor down with it. Scientists say both stars are doomed, but the explosion could give us a front-row seat to stellar destruction on an epic scale.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about a star blowing up—it’s a rare glimpse into the chaotic relationships between stars and how they meet their end. For astronomers, it’s like catching a car crash in slow motion, with lessons about how massive stars shape the universe. For the rest of us? A reminder that even the night sky’s most familiar sights are anything but peaceful.

William J. Rutter, a trailblazer in biotechnology whose work laid the groundwork for gene-based medicine, has passed away at 97. He co-founded Chiron Corporation, a company instrumental in developing some of the first genetically engineered vaccines, including one for hepatitis B. His research helped revolutionize how we approach disease prevention and treatment.

Editor’s Note: Rutter’s contributions weren’t just academic—they directly shaped modern medicine. Without his work, we might not have breakthroughs like recombinant DNA vaccines, which have saved countless lives. His passing is a moment to reflect on how foundational figures in biotech quietly transformed healthcare as we know it.

A simple scan called a coronary artery calcium test can give you a clearer picture of your heart attack risk than traditional methods. While some heart specialists swear by it, the test isn’t as widely used as it could be—meaning many people might be missing out on a key tool to stay ahead of heart disease.

Editor’s Note: Heart disease is a leading killer, but this scan could help catch risks earlier and more accurately. If more doctors adopted it, we might see fewer surprise heart attacks—so it’s worth asking your cardiologist about. It’s not magic, but it’s another way to take control of your health.