A team of NASA astronauts, including Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, along with two international crew members, safely returned to Earth by splashing down in the Pacific Ocean near California. This marked NASA's first ocean landing in 50 years and successfully concluded a mission to relieve stranded colleagues on the International Space Station (ISS).

Editor’s Note: This story highlights a major milestone in modern space travel—NASA's return to ocean landings after half a century. It also underscores international collaboration in space missions and the importance of crew rotations to keep the ISS operational. For space enthusiasts and the general public, it’s a reassuring sign of progress in human spaceflight.

Turns out leprosy wasn’t just a European import to the Americas—researchers found evidence of Mycobacterium lepromatosis in ancient remains, meaning the disease was already here before Columbus or other explorers showed up. This flips the script on what we thought we knew about leprosy’s history, suggesting it had deeper roots in the region than previously believed.

Scientists have created a super-thin, wearable "e-tattoo" that sticks to your forehead like a temporary sticker. This nifty gadget uses brainwave and eye movement tracking (EEG and EOG tech, if you're into the jargon) to monitor mental strain in real time—perfect for firefighters, pilots, or anyone in high-pressure jobs where focus is everything.

Astronomers have stumbled upon a new dwarf planet candidate, dubbed 2017 OF201, lurking in the distant Kuiper Belt. This icy object isn’t just another space rock—its unusual orbit throws a wrench into our understanding of the outer solar system and could breathe new life into the controversial "Planet Nine" hypothesis. Basically, it’s either a fluke or another clue that something massive might be hiding out there, tugging on these distant worlds.

A new study using satellite data shows that over a fifth of the world's oceans have grown noticeably darker, which is bad news for marine life. The darkening affects the "photic zone"—the upper layer where sunlight penetrates—disrupting the delicate balance of ecosystems that rely on light for photosynthesis and survival. Researchers are sounding the alarm about the cascading effects this could have on everything from tiny plankton to the larger food chain.

** Scientists are keeping a close eye on the Axial Seamount, an underwater volcano about 300 miles off the Oregon coast, which is showing signs it might erupt soon. The good news? Experts say even if it blows, it won’t threaten land or trigger earthquakes.

** A Soviet-era spacecraft, Kosmos 482, which had been stuck in orbit for over five decades after a failed mission to Venus, finally made its fiery return to Earth on Saturday. Launched in 1972, the probe never made it to its destination and instead spent half a century circling our planet before gravity pulled it back down.

** Google is diving into the world of dolphin chatter, using AI to crack the code of their clicks, whistles, and squeaks. The tech giant’s goal? To eventually bridge the gap between human and dolphin communication—imagine someday having a conversation with Flipper.

** A U.S. company says it’s achieved the near-impossible: resurrecting the dire wolf, a species that vanished 12,500 years ago and gained pop culture fame through *Game of Thrones*. Using advanced genetic tech, they claim to have revived the iconic predator, though skeptics will want to see hard proof before celebrating.