Sunday Special: The most powerful cosmic event ever observed

Welcome back, Superhuman. Carrying out the perfect crime just got a lot harder. Scientists say they've cracked the long-sought "holy grail" of forensics — they’re now able to lift fingerprints from fired bullet casings. Meanwhile, researchers have created a protein-based gel that could potentially shock the $151B dental industry.

SCIENCE SUNDAY

The most interesting scientific discoveries and breakthroughs this week 

1. Astronomers spot black hole flare with power of 10 trillion suns: Scientists at Caltech have captured what may be the most powerful cosmic event ever recorded — a supermassive black hole violently consuming a star 30x larger than our sun. The record-shattering event was captured by astronomers from 10 billion light-years away and has continued for over seven years — a glimpse into how much we still have to learn about the universe's most extreme phenomena.

2. Irish scientists crack ‘Holy Grail’ of forensics: Researchers at Maynooth University say they’ve developed an electrochemical method that recovers fingerprints from fired bullet casings — something experts had thought was impossible for decades. They used mild voltage and non-toxic polymers to make fingerprint ridges visible within seconds on casings up to 16 months old. This could potentially help investigators link ammunition directly to suspects rather than just matching casings to weapons.

3. Floating generator converts rainfall into electricity: Chinese scientists at Nanjing University have built a water-integrated droplet electricity generator (W-DEG) that floats on lakes or reservoirs and reportedly converts raindrops into power. Unlike conventional systems that use heavy metal electrodes, the device uses the water itself as both the supporting structure and the electrode, cutting weight by about 80% and costs by half. It could potentially support off-grid systems or complement solar and wind energy.

4. Scientists use fungus to create a clever new mosquito trap: Scientists claim to have genetically modified Metarhizium fungus to emit longifolene — a sweet-smelling compound that mosquitoes find irresistible. In lab tests, the fungus killed 90-100% of mosquitoes by luring them in and infecting them with deadly spores. If true, it offers a potential solution for communities battling mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue, with the added advantage that mosquitoes are unlikely to develop resistance.

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NEW TECH

Our favorite new tech gadgets this week

1. Sandbar Steam Ring: An AI-powered smart ring that records voice notes, controls music, and chats with an onboard assistant.

2. Whoop MG: The company recently released its most advanced, medical-grade fitness tracker to date. It packs an FDA-cleared ECG for on-demand heart screenings, offers daily blood pressure insights, and even measures physiological aging.

3. Dreame S1 Water Purifier: A compact all-in-one machine that dispenses hot, cold, and ice water in seconds. It filters through seven layers for pure, mineral-rich water and cleans itself automatically.

4. Nuwa Pen: A smart pen that uses a triple-camera and AI to digitize your writing on any paper in real time, and even transcribe and organize your notes — no screen needed.

SOCIAL SIGNALS

What’s trending in tech on socials this week

📸 Solar Squad: The first-ever image of another solar system with multiple planets is getting a ton of attention on X this week.

💤 Nap Nest: Layovers don’t need to be so dreadful. Here’s a peek into the futuristic sleeping pods at a Chinese airport that travelers use during long waits.

📜 Paper Trail: Ever wonder why an A4 paper is sized the way it is? A video breaking down the surprisingly complex math behind it is going viral on social media.

⚡️Puff Power: British YouTuber Chris Doel used over 500 thrown-away vapes to build a home energy system that powers his entire workshop. The video has racked up over 2.5M views. You can see it here.

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ONLY GOOD NEWS

A healthy dose of optimism to kickstart your week

Enamel Engine: Scientists claim to have developed a protein-based gel that can repair damaged tooth enamel. Unlike traditional fluoride treatments, the bioinspired material mimics the natural proteins responsible for enamel formation, creating a scaffold that captures minerals from saliva to build new enamel. The breakthrough could potentially reshape the $151B dental industry while saving millions from the dreaded drill.

Baby Bubble: Dutch startup AquaWomb has built an incubator that it claims works sort of like an artificial womb for babies born too early to survive. It features a tank of synthetic amniotic fluid at body temperature and a silicone outer layer that provides resistance to kicks, helping muscle development. If the technology makes it past clinical trials, it could significantly reduce one of the leading causes of infant mortality in the US.

Tumor Trap: Scientists say they have transformed 5-fluorouracil, a poorly dissolving chemotherapy drug, into a highly targeted treatment that cancer cells naturally absorb, resulting in 12.5x better cellular uptake and improved potency against leukemia in animal tests — all without the side effects. If it scales, it could overhaul treatment options, with seven similar therapies already advancing through clinical trials.

SUNDAY SCIENCE TRIVIA

The Tehran Incident of 1976

Don’t Cheat: You can watch an explainer video on the strange incident here or read about it here.

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Until next time,

Zain and the Superhuman AI team