Mars Climate Clue: NASA’s Perseverance rover has identified kaolinite in Jezero Crater, pointing to long-lasting warm, wet conditions that could have made ancient Mars more habitable. AI Safety Debate: UN human rights chief Volker Turk warns frontier AI could trigger “irreversible change,” urging urgent safeguards as capabilities race ahead. Dark Matter Hopes: The LZ detector reported an unusual underground signal that could fit dark matter, but scientists stress it’s not yet proven. Quantum Acceleration: UCLA researchers, with Caltech and NVIDIA, used AI to design laser pulse sequences for controlling complex quantum systems up to 10 million times faster than standard simulation. Wildlife Mystery: Elk in northern Nevada have died mysteriously for over a decade; researchers are investigating seasonal elk mortality linked to possible mineral issues and heart damage. Climate & Food Resilience: Kirin and RIKEN are testing heat- and drought-resilient wine grapes in Japan to protect yields as water stress grows. Grid Tech: UL Solutions launched a certification program for vehicle-to-grid systems, aiming to help EVs support the power grid. Health & Policy: A national survey finds many residents near data centers and cryptomining hear noise indoors and report sleep and concentration impacts. Invasive Species: Oregon forestry officials warn a velvet longhorned beetle is spreading, threatening fruit trees and timber.