Researchers involved in the Lux-Zeplin (LZ) Dark Matter Experiment—an international project based in an underground mine in South Dakota—have reported what could be the first evidence of dark matter interacting with their detector. Dark matter is a mysterious substance that scientists believe makes up about a quarter of the universe, yet it does not emit light or interact with electromagnetic forces, making it extremely difficult to detect. Kimberly Palladino, a physics professor at the University of Oxford and part of the LZ collaboration, explained to Roland how the team is searching for dark matter by looking for faint signals produced when dark matter particles pass through the detector’s sensitive equipment. In a separate scientific endeavor, microbiologist-turned-ecologist Erika Santoro has been exploring innovative ways to protect coral reefs. She is testing a probiotic treatment on reefs in the Red Sea, aiming to enhance their resilience against environmental stressors such as warming ocean temperatures and pollution. This approach draws on her background in microbiology, applying it to ecological restoration in an effort to reverse the damage caused by human activity and climate change. Meanwhile, veteran environmental journalist Fred Pearce has been recognized for his work in raising awareness about climate change. His book, Despite it All: A Handbook for Climate Hopefuls, was shortlisted for the Royal Society’s Trivedi Science Book Prize. The book offers a thoughtful exploration of the challenges posed by climate change, while also highlighting potential solutions and the importance of maintaining hope in the face of environmental uncertainty. In other science news, mathematician Kit Yates discussed several intriguing developments, including the potential use of the Earth’s magnetic field to authenticate ancient artefacts. By analyzing the magnetic properties of materials, researchers may be able to determine an object’s age and origin with greater accuracy. Additionally, Yates highlighted a puzzling discovery on Saturn: a ten-sided cloud structure at the planet’s south pole, which has intrigued scientists due to its unusual symmetry and the questions it raises about atmospheric dynamics on gas giants.