New model helps to figure out which distant planets may host life

Nearly every river tested in the UK has traces of a so-called "forever chemical," a substance that doesn’t break down easily in the environment. Scientists are still figuring out how harmful it might be to people over time, but its widespread presence is raising alarms.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a niche science story—it’s about what’s flowing through our waterways and potentially into our bodies. These chemicals linger indefinitely, and while we don’t yet know the full health risks, their ubiquity suggests we should be paying attention. It’s a reminder that pollution isn’t always visible, and the stuff we can’t see might be the most stubborn to deal with.

Scotland is about to hit a waste disposal crunch. Starting at the end of the year, a landfill ban will force the country to ship its rubbish south—up to 100 truckloads a day—to be processed in England. Experts warn this isn’t just a logistical headache; it raises questions about sustainability, costs, and whether Scotland’s waste management systems are ready for the shift.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about garbage trucks on the highway. It’s a sign of bigger gaps in waste infrastructure and recycling efforts. If Scotland can’t handle its own trash, it’s either a wake-up call to invest in better solutions or a stopgap that just kicks the problem down the road—literally. Either way, it’s messy.

Turns out, bedbugs have been crashing human cities for way longer than we thought—about 13,000 years, to be exact. A new study shows these pesky hitchhikers thrived in early urban settlements, making them the OG urban pests. Basically, wherever humans packed together, bedbugs happily moved in for a never-ending blood buffet.

NASA and Axiom Space have hit pause on the Axiom-4 mission after discovering small leaks in the International Space Station’s Russian module. While Roscosmos works on repairs, the launch could now happen as early as June 19. Meanwhile, SpaceX has already fixed a separate issue with its Falcon-9 rocket’s liquid oxygen system. The mission—which includes Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla—is still a go, just waiting for the all-clear from ISS repairs.

Editor’s Note: Delays in space missions aren’t unusual, especially when safety’s on the line. This hiccup shows how routine checks and quick fixes keep astronauts safe—even if it means pushing back schedules. For space enthusiasts, it’s a reminder that behind every launch, there’s a ton of problem-solving happening on (and off) Earth. And for India, it’s a spotlight moment as one of their own gears up for the trip.

Google just supercharged its AI video tool, Veo, making it even harder to distinguish AI-generated clips from real footage. The upgrade packs new features, and the article walks through how to try them out yourself—though it also hints at the growing ethical tightrope of hyper-realistic synthetic media.