Monday, May 25, 2026

Archaeologists have discovered the oldest known hand-held wooden tools ever used by humans, dating back approximately 430,000 years, at a site in the UK. The discovery pushes back evidence for this type of wooden tool use by at least 40,000 years.^[1]

Researchers at Columbia Engineering have developed a breakthrough lithium extraction method that pulls lithium directly from underground brines using a temperature-sensitive solvent, avoiding the giant evaporation ponds that can take years and drain water supplies.^[2]

Astronomers have discovered a super-Earth exoplanet orbiting the nearby red dwarf star Ross 318, located just 28 light years from Earth. The planet, at least six times more massive than Earth, orbits within the habitable zone and is a candidate for future atmospheric studies with the James Webb Space Telescope.^[3]

Mayo Clinic researchers discovered that tiny synthetic DNA molecules called aptamers can selectively attach to senescent 'zombie cells,' which are linked to aging, cancer, and neurodegenerative disease. The method could help scientists identify and target these cells with far greater precision.^[4]

NASA will host a news conference on May 26 to share Moon Base plans and highlight progress toward a sustained human presence on the lunar surface, including new industry partners and mission plans for the Artemis program.^[5]

Meta has launched a wave of layoffs affecting 10 percent of its global workforce, representing about 8,000 people. The company will also shift 7,000 employees into artificial intelligence workflow-related roles.^[6]

President Trump announced that a memorandum of understanding with Iran has been 'largely negotiated' and would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, though the deal remains subject to finalization between US and Iranian negotiators.^[7]

Russia pummeled Kyiv with a massive wave of missile and drone attacks, killing at least two people and injuring at least 77, with damage reported in every district of the city. The European Union announced it was sending more support to help Ukraine reinforce its air defense systems.^[8]

Quantum physics researchers created exotic new forms of matter by carefully manipulating magnetic fields over time, producing quantum states that could be far more stable and resistant to errors—addressing one of the biggest challenges in quantum computing.^[9]