Next Week in Science, September 26, 2025
Look, we’ve been super depressed recently. Who can blame us? I know my anxiety has been off the roof for the last 6ish weeks. But, we have some really good news.
We’re headed back to the moon.
NASA’s Artemis 2 mission is gearing up to make history as the first crewed lunar flight in over 50 years, set to launch as early as February 2026. The four astronauts — Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen — are training intensively for their 10-day journey aboard the Orion spacecraft, now named Integrity.
This mission will feature several inspiring firsts: the first woman and person of color to fly to lunar space, the farthest human voyage beyond the moon, and the first step toward sustainable lunar exploration and future trips to Mars. While the crew emphasizes focus and teamwork over records, their work symbolizes international collaboration, scientific progress, and humanity’s renewed spirit of exploration.
Check out the flight plan below.
Here’s what’s been in the science research.
And some news for you all.
ChatGPT Glossary: 57 AI Terms Everyone Should Know
The rapidly evolving AI landscape is reshaping daily technology use, significantly impacting global economies and industries. This glossary of AI terms underscores the importance of understanding AI concepts as it becomes increasingly integrated into various products and services, highlighting both its transformative potential—valued at up to $4.4 trillion annually—and its societal challenges, such as job displacement and content quality. Staying informed about AI terminology is crucial for navigating its expanding role in the modern world, influencing everything from business to personal interactions.
India’s Biggest Problem Is Its Own Backyard
Recent student-led uprisings in Bangladesh and Nepal have overthrown governments, marking a significant generational shift in South Asian politics as Gen Z challenges longstanding political structures and corruption. This movement poses a strategic dilemma for India, which has historically maintained influence over the region, as it struggles to adapt and maintain its standing amidst growing instability that potentially undermines its global ambitions and opens opportunities for China to extend its influence. The youth-driven political shift not only reveals weaknesses in traditional Indian diplomacy but also spotlights the need for India to rebuild trust and credibility among younger generations in the region.
RFK Jr. scheduled to visit Vineyard
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and a 2024 presidential candidate, will attend a Tribal Advisory Committee meeting on Martha’s Vineyard amid controversy over his leadership and vaccine skepticism. His visit is drawing planned protests from local groups critical of his policies, particularly changes within the CDC and his stance against vaccines, which have fueled public health concerns. The meeting, hosted by tribal representatives to facilitate communication with federal agencies, provides a platform for discussing tribal health issues. Meanwhile, Kennedy’s initiatives on food policy have received praise from state officials.
Dark Energy Filled Black Holes Plus DESI Data Give Neutrino Masses That Make Sense
The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), mounted on the Nicholas U. Mayall 4-meter Telescope in Arizona, is mapping millions of galaxies to explore the universe’s dark energy and matter content. Recent findings interpreted through the cosmologically coupled black holes (CCBH) hypothesis suggest that dark energy may be converting from matter over cosmic time, aligning with Earth-based neutrino mass measurements. This research, published in Physical Review Letters, challenges previous beliefs about dark energy’s constancy and offers potential new explanations for the universe’s accelerating expansion, inviting further investigation.
Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air Launches at the United Nations To Drive Action To Improve Indoor Air
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) has launched the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air, assembling nearly 170 leaders from various sectors to tackle the pressing issue of indoor air pollution, which causes over three million premature deaths annually. Announced during Climate Week at the United Nations, this initiative will establish a Global Framework for Action to enhance indoor air quality, aiming to improve public health, economic outcomes, and global awareness of this often-overlooked crisis. By coordinating international experts across public health, science, policy, and industry, the Commission aims to foster innovation, policy change, and recognition of clean indoor air as a fundamental human
