Science news this week: 'Super-vision' contact lenses and bacteria in space

NASA’s Perseverance rover just snapped an epic selfie on Mars—and it’s not just any photo. The shot celebrates 1,500 sols (Martian days) of the rover’s mission, with a lucky bonus: a swirling dust devil whipping through the background. Perseverance is currently parked near Jezero Crater’s Witch Hazel Hill, where it’s been drilling and collecting rock samples for the past five months. The selfie even shows off its latest borehole, like a proud mechanic pointing out fresh work under the hood.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a cool space pic—it’s a reminder of how far Perseverance has come. Dust devils are common on Mars, but catching one in a selfie is a stroke of cosmic luck. The rover’s steady sample collection could someday help answer whether life ever existed there. Plus, after 1,500 sols of brutal Martian conditions, the fact that it’s still snapping selfies and drilling holes is a win for human ingenuity. Mars feels a little less distant when we get moments like this.

This week's science roundup serves up a mix of the practical and the mind-bending: researchers are developing "super-vision" contact lenses that could enhance eyesight beyond natural limits, while other scientists are studying how bacteria behave in the zero-gravity weirdness of space. It’s the kind of update that makes you feel like we’re living in the future—whether that’s useful tech for everyday life or quirky experiments pushing the boundaries of what we know.

Editor’s Note: These stories aren’t just cool trivia—they hint at real-world shifts. Super-vision lenses could revolutionize accessibility and human performance, while space bacteria research might help us prepare for long-term missions (or even alien life). Science isn’t just about lab coats; it’s about solving tomorrow’s problems today.

Former President Donald Trump has signed executive orders aimed at speeding up the development and approval of new nuclear power plants in the U.S. The move is part of a broader push to boost domestic energy production and reduce regulatory hurdles for the nuclear industry. Supporters argue it could help meet clean energy goals, while critics worry about safety and environmental risks.

Editor’s Note: Nuclear power is a polarizing topic—some see it as a key tool for fighting climate change, while others fear accidents and waste disposal issues. Trump's orders could reshape how quickly new plants get built, but the debate over whether nuclear is the right path forward isn’t going away anytime soon. If these changes stick, they might accelerate a shift in how America powers its future—for better or worse.

SpaceX just fired another batch of Starlink internet satellites into orbit from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base—and, in classic SpaceX fashion, nailed the landing of the Falcon 9 booster on a drone ship at sea. The nighttime launch (captured in a slick video) adds 26 more satellites to the company’s ever-expanding orbital network.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another routine launch—it’s a reminder of how SpaceX has turned rocket landings into a well-oiled routine while rapidly building out Starlink’s global internet coverage. For space nerds, it’s cool tech in action; for everyone else, it’s another step toward faster, wider satellite internet access (and maybe fewer dead zones during road trips). Plus, landing boosters at sea instead of tossing them into the ocean? That’s the kind of reusability that keeps costs down and the space industry moving forward.

SpaceX is gearing up for another big moment with its Starship megarocket—Flight 8 is set to blast off on Thursday, March 6. If you're eager to catch the action, the article has the details on how to watch it live.

Editor’s Note: Another Starship launch means another step forward in SpaceX's ambitious plans for space travel, whether it's for future Mars missions or just pushing the boundaries of rocket tech. For space fans, it’s a chance to see if this test brings them closer to ironing out the kinks—or if there’s another fiery spectacle. Either way, it’s progress.