Sunday Special: SpaceX aces 11th Starship test

Welcome back, Superhuman. SpaceX’s Starship rocket aced its 11th test this week, splashing down in the Indian Ocean. The breakthrough brings us closer than we’ve ever been to a vehicle that could take us to Mars and beyond. Meanwhile, scientists seem to have found one of the secret ingredients behind human intelligence.

SCIENCE SUNDAY

The most interesting scientific discoveries and breakthroughs this week 

1. SpaceX successfully lands its 11th Starship rocket test: The launch marks the Starship’s final flight before the company debuted an upgraded prototype specifically designed for Moon and Mars missions. The test validated crucial heat shield improvements and landing configurations, with SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell confirming the next iteration will be "the vehicle that could take humans to the Moon and Mars." You can watch the historic landing here.

2. Scientists claim to be closing in on dark matter: Researchers analyzing a mysterious gamma-ray glow near the center of our galaxy claim to have found compelling evidence that could finally confirm the existence of dark matter, the elusive substance thought to make up 27% of the cosmos. The upcoming Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory in Chile could potentially settle this scientific mystery, changing our understanding of the fundamental composition of the universe.

3. Human intelligence could have a strange origin story: A new study has discovered that early humans were exposed to lead up to 2M years before we started mining it, evolving a protective genetic mutation that shielded our brains from lead's harmful effects on language development. Scientists now think that lead exposure may have been one of the critical evolutionary advantages that allowed modern humans to develop complex language and social coordination capabilities that Neanderthals couldn't match.

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NEW TECH

Our favorite new tech gadgets this week

1. Kamingo: A compact smart converter that turns your regular bike into an e-bike in less than 10 seconds.

2. KikFin Shark: The first underwater jet-pack designed for hands-free propulsion. You steer by tilting your head and control speed with a wireless glove remote.

3. Formovie Theater Premium TV: With a screen size of almost 150 inches, this smart projector can turn almost any space into a home theatre.

4. Eufy FamiLock S3 Max: A digital peephole that combines a smart door lock with an integrated video doorbell. It’s packed with advanced palm vein unlock technology, allowing you keyless entry with a simple wave.

SOCIAL SIGNALS

What’s trending in tech on socials this week

🦋 Cosmic Flutter: Astronomers claim that our galaxy “flaps its wings like a butterfly". A video showing the stunning phenomenon in action has racked up over a million views on X.

🚀 Sneak Peek: A video, giving us an inside peek into Starlink satellites being deployed from a SpaceX Starship rocket, is doing massive numbers on social media.

🏍️ Push Proof: Reddit is buzzing over Yamaha’s self-balancing bike technology — you can push it from either side, and it still stays perfectly upright.

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ONLY GOOD NEWS

A healthy dose of optimism to kickstart your week

Quick Fix: University of Stuttgart researchers claim to have developed a miniature 3D printer that could plausibly print biological tissue from inside the human body. Using a salt-grain-sized lens, the device focuses laser light to cure bio-inks layer by layer with cellular-level precision, potentially eliminating the need to transplant pre-grown tissue. The technology could potentially enable physicians to repair damaged tissues directly at the injury site, with researchers now working on biocompatible materials.

Neural Reach: Neuralink appears to have achieved a significant breakthrough in brain-computer interface technology, with ALS patient Nick Wray successfully controlling a robotic arm using only his thoughts. The implanted N1 chip translated neural signals into Bluetooth commands, enabling Wray to perform everyday tasks like drinking from a cup, putting on a hat, and opening a refrigerator — a potentially major leap toward restoring independence for mobility-impaired individuals.

Blood Born: Scientists from Cambridge University claim to have grown embryo-like structures in the lab that produce human blood cells without using eggs or sperm, potentially revolutionizing regenerative medicine approaches. If true, the breakthrough could eventually enable bone marrow transplants using a patient's own cells, eliminating rejection risks and donor matching challenges, while also providing a powerful new platform for studying blood disorders like leukemia.

SUNDAY SCIENCE TRIVIA

Slow Science: The Pitch Drop Experiment

Did You Know: The setup is live-streamed 24/7 on the University’s website so the world won’t miss the next drop. You can watch it here.

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Until next time,

Zain and the Superhuman AI team