This week’s headlines were dominated by the devastating news of the OceanGate Titan submersible going missing during its descent to explore the wreckage of the Titanic. The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed the tragic incident, revealing that debris found near the sunken ocean liner belonged to the lost submersible. The Coast Guard further reported that the submersible suffered a “catastrophic implosion,” resulting in the loss of all five crew members on board.

In the realm of scientific discoveries, there were remarkable findings that captured our attention. Scientists uncovered a new state of matter composed of particles called excitons, which brings excitement to the field of physics. Additionally, research delved into the cosmological constant problem, proposing that the expansion of the universe might be an illusion, challenging our understanding of cosmology. Furthermore, intriguing revelations emerged regarding spiral signals found in the brain, hinting at their potential role in cognition.

On a more tangible note, Asia’s tallest tree made headlines, towering at an astonishing height of 335 feet (102 meters). Meanwhile, an anatomically accurate pendant depicting human genitalia, dating back 42,000 years, became the world’s earliest known representation of such features.

Other notable news included the eruption in Tonga triggering an intense lightning storm, the seizure of a record number of illegal shark fins in Brazil, the mass stranding of mysterious orcas with bulbous heads, and the surprising human impact on Earth’s tilt, leaving researchers concerned.

Ancient creatures also took the spotlight this week, with the discovery of an armored ankylosaur indicating an unknown migration, a giant sea monster found decapitated by a single clean bite, and fossils unearthed during New Zealand’s cyclone Gabrielle.

In health-related news, the genetic risk factors for Dupuytren’s disease, known as “Viking’s disease,” were found to be derived from Neanderthals. Additionally, research shed light on the unsettling revelation of inhaling the equivalent of a credit card’s worth of microplastics every week and where they end up in our bodies.

At Live Science, our commitment is to deliver the latest science news with clarity, authority, and even a touch of humor. The stories mentioned above are just a glimpse of what we offer. Stay updated by visiting our website daily, following us on social media, and subscribing to our newsletter for more captivating content.

Picture of the Week: A breathtaking time-lapse image showcases the illuminating power of a thunderstorm near Mudanya, Turkey. The photo captures over 100 individual lightning bolts, featuring various types of lightning, including cloud-to-cloud, cloud-to-ground, and cloud-to-water strikes.

Astrophotographer Uğur İkizler masterfully compiled individual shots taken over a span of 50 minutes, with lightning striking approximately every 30 seconds on average.